Botswana will challenge an R83 million legal bill as Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe considers fresh court action, the Attorney General Dick Bayford has vowed
BONGANI MALUNGA
A fresh legal confrontation is brewing between the Botswana government and South African businesswoman Bridgette Motsepe-Radebe, with Botswana preparing to challenge an R83 million legal costs bill even as the mining entrepreneur’s lawyers consider further action for alleged contempt of court.
The latest developments signal a renewed clash in a long-running dispute that has already carried significant financial, diplomatic and reputational implications for Botswana.
According to South African media reports, Motsepe-Radebe’s legal representatives from Webber Wentzel have accused the Botswana government of failing to honour court-ordered obligations relating to legal costs and public apologies, insisting that there has been no communication regarding payment of the substantial bill.
COSTLY EPISODE
“It has been a very costly episode for her financially and emotionally. The respondent is in contempt and she (the plaintiff) will be taking legal advice on the next step,” her legal team was quoted as saying. The remarks suggest that Motsepe-Radebe is weighing additional legal pressure against Botswana, potentially escalating a matter that many had expected would gradually move toward closure following earlier court rulings.
However, Botswana has made it clear that it has no intention of accepting the R83 million claim without further judicial review. Attorney General Dick Bayford told Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) last week that government lawyers have resolved to return to court to challenge what they consider an excessive figure.
FAIRNESS OF THE VALUE
“They are seeking a lot of money worth over R83 million. We cannot accede to the fairness of such a value. To determine the exact value of legal and incidental costs we have taken a decision at the Attorney General’s Chambers to go to court and determine the exact value of legal costs to be paid,” he told the PAC.
The government’s position effectively sets the stage for another legal battle, with Bayford arguing that while the government remains bound by court directives, the quantum of the costs being demanded must first be independently assessed.
The dispute stems from the high-profile legal saga involving Motsepe-Radebe, a prominent mining executive and sister-in-law to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
COURT ORDERED APOLOGIES
Beyond the contested legal bill, another source of tension concerns court-ordered apologies that were to be published in leading international media platforms, including CNN, the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times.
South African reports indicate that Motsepe-Radebe’s legal team believes Botswana has yet to comply with most of those directives, some of which are over 10 months overdue. The Botswana government, however, maintains that implementation is underway but has encountered financial constraints.
Bayford disclosed to legislators that an apology already aired on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) cost Botswana more than P500 000, highlighting the significant expense associated with fulfilling the court’s requirements.