Former Gambling Authority CEO Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe is seeking damages, retractions and public apologies over a letter he alleges damaged his reputation across Africa.
GAZETTE REPORTER
Former Gambling Authority chief executive officer Emolemo Peter Kesitilwe has filed a defamation suit against the regulator and its current CEO, Moruntshi Kemorwale, over allegations he says were circulated among gambling regulators across Africa.
According to a writ filed at the Gaborone High Court on 13 August 2026, Kesitilwe is demanding P400,000 in damages, a retraction and public apologies. Alternatively, if the other remedies are not granted, he seeks P500,000 in damages.
Allegations Untested
The allegations have not been tested in court. The papers contain Kesitilwe’s case only and no defence from Kemorwale or the Gambling Authority.
Disputed Letter
The case centres on a letter that Kesitilwe alleges Kemorwale sent to the Gaming Regulators Africa Forum on 9 November 2025 while serving as acting CEO.
According to the particulars of claim, the letter referred to investigations allegedly involving the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime, Kesitilwe’s suspension and the collection of documents from the Authority.
It also allegedly asked the forum to disassociate itself from Kesitilwe and recognise the Gambling Authority as Botswana’s sole legitimate regulator. The letter reportedly raised concerns about due diligence, money laundering and organisations offering to fund the forum’s activities.
Kesitilwe denies the alleged implications and argues that the communication portrayed him as dishonest, unethical and implicated in corruption and money laundering, damaging his standing in the African gambling industry.
Apologies Demanded
Kesitilwe says he complained to the Authority’s board in May 2026. He alleges the board acknowledged that the statements could be understood as casting adverse inferences on his integrity and professional standing but did not retract them.
His attorneys issued a demand in July seeking damages, withdrawal of the communication and public apologies.
He now wants apologies published on the front pages of three local newspapers, the Gambling Authority’s website and social media platforms, and in at least three African gaming publications.
Continental Role
Kesitilwe was suspended from the Gambling Authority in August 2025 and subsequently resigned. He was appointed inaugural CEO of the African iGaming Alliance the following month.
Kemorwale succeeded him as acting CEO before being appointed substantively in July 2026. Kesitilwe argues that because Kemorwale allegedly authored the letter in the course of his employment, the Authority should be held jointly liable.
No finding has been made against either defendant.