Joel Konopo

Joel Konopo is the co-founder of the INK Centre for Investigative Journalism. He is a former Botswana Guardian editor and a board member of the Media Institute of Southern Africa

Botswana’s president goes shopping for a farm

Africa Calistus Bosaletswe, Joel Konopo & Ntibinyane Ntibinyane - 21 Jun 2020

Mokgweetsi Masisi is on a shortlist to acquire a portion of Botswana’s Banyana Farms — even though his bid did not meet the brief

Censorship, the unexpected side-effect of Covid-19

Africa Joel Konopo - 11 May 2020

If the coronavirus outbreak has taught us anything beyond the necessity of washing our hands, it is that its victim has been leadership

Botswana’s media is in crisis

Africa Joel Konopo - 29 Jan 2020

COMMENT We live in a divided political environment and amid radical economic disparities. But there is one thing...

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Spooks implicated in Botswana’s mysterious ivory stockpile

Article Joel Konopo - 18 Jul 2018

Following a raid on one of its camps the country's notorious intelligence agency is under pressure to explain why it had a warehouse full of tusks.

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Spooks implicated in Botswana’s mysterious ivory stockpile

Africa Joel Konopo - 17 Jul 2018

Botswana’s intelligence services are accused of hiding elephant tusks from the wildlife department

Who is Botswana’s new spy chief?

Africa Joel Konopo - 17 Jul 2018

Peter Magosi joined the army at the age of 22 and progressed through the ranks to become a brigadier

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Botswana: State official under scrutiny over gravel business and under-serviced loans

Article Joel Konopo - 5 Oct 2017

Public administration minster Eric Molale is quarrying gravel seemingly without permission from the state development agency he owes P4-million.

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Satellite images show Botswana Defence Force doing building work at Khama residence

Article Joel Konopo - 26 Jun 2017

The images contradict claims from the office of President Ian Khama that the military is not carrying out construction on his private holiday home.

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Journalists threatened while investigating Botswana’s ‘Nkandla’

Article Joel Konopo - 5 Apr 2017

Botswana security agents outside President Ian Khama's rural residence told three journalists they would be shot if they came that way again.

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Botswana intelligence detain journalist after corruption stories

Article Joel Konopo - 22 Mar 2016

Freelance journalist Sonny Serite was arrested on Thursday, but not yet charged. Serite recently covered stories about alleged corruption of R250m.

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Botswana’s ‘shoot-to-kill policy’ against suspected poachers

Article Ntibinyane Ntibinyane & Joel Konopo - 18 Mar 2016

The Botswana government has been accused of valuing wildlife more than human life, as it ups the ante against illegal hunters in the region.

Botswana repeatedly raids preservation fund

Africa Ntibinyane Ntibinyane, Olebile Letlole & - 4 Feb 2016

The Pula Fund was established to cushion the country once its revenue from diamonds dries up. But critics say it's more of an emergency slush fund.

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Press Releases

Special Reports

Let’s unite behind our masks

special reports - 12 Aug 2020

We owe it to young people who hold our dreams for the future to not be discouraged by the Covid-19 pandemic – or our poor leaders

Special Reports

Brand South Africa’s statement in response to allegations of corruption

special reports - 11 Aug 2020

The Board of Trustees and the Management of Brand South Africa have undertaken to investigate any allegations presented against it

Special Reports

Grants for the production of Covid-19-relevant medical and pharmaceutical products: call for proposals

special reports - 11 Aug 2020

Winning innovative projects may be supported with a grant expected to range from €50 000 to to €200 000 depending on whether your initiative is for- or non-profit

Special Reports

WiMSA shines a light on the future of women in mining

special reports - 7 Aug 2020

Men in mining must begin to take it upon themselves to support the development of women in the industry

Special Reports

Department of Public Works and Infrastructure reveals second gender-based violence advocacy artwork

special reports - 7 Aug 2020

The men and boys of South Africa are important role players in this mission to ensure that women are respected, protected and treated equally

Special Reports

Empowering the voice of women in leadership to enable full participation in their roles in leadership and decision making

special reports - 7 Aug 2020

Sibanye-Stillwater has 13% female representation in its workforce and is actively working to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Special Reports

Surviving the tobacco ban

special reports - 7 Aug 2020

Nicotine is given as the ‘likely’ reason for lower Covid-19 infection rates but authorities still stress the health risk of smoking

Special Reports

Smokers hold thumbs for cigarette ban to be lifted

special reports - 7 Aug 2020

SATTA is worried about the impact of the ban on its own members activities and how the ban is helping black marketeers to make millions of rands illegally