Botswana continued to address the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022 , including the discovery of the COVID-19 variant Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 , with COVID-19 restrictions being relaxed in October. Continued disputes took place regarding the Botswana–Namibia border , though an open border was established in September. The rivalry between President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his predecessor Ian Khama escalated in 2022, accelerated by firearms charges against Khama and a warrant for his arrest. The government also saw controversy for its support of bills that would grant it additional espionage powers and regulate journalists.
3–12 January – President Masisi goes into isolation after testing positive for asymptomatic COVID-19 .[ 1]
11 January – South African singer Makhadzi announces a one-woman show in Botswana with proceeds going to the country, prompting controversy in her home province of Limpopo .[ 2]
12 January – Botswana Diamonds reports that kimberlite found in its South African Thorny River project exceeds expectations, causing its stock to rise by 19%.[ 3]
18 January – The government of Botswana begins distributing COVID-19 booster vaccines.[ 4]
20 January – Members of the Botswana Defence Force are absolved of the killings of Namibian citizens on the Botswana–Namibia border , further challenging relations between the two countries.[ 5]
24 January
1 February
4 February – The government amends a pending espionage bill to prohibit the tapping of private conversations amid controversy.[ 10]
14 February – Botswana introduces a vaccine mandate for all travellers to the country. The mandate will be repealed the following month.[ 11]
23 February – A shootout occurs in Gaborone when the Botswana Police Service engages a gang of armoured car robbers, killing nine of the 11 assailants.[ 12]
16 May – Botswana's state oil company declares its intention to build a $2.5 billion coal power plant.[ 24]
21 May – Two people are killed in an accident at a copper and silver mine.[ 25]
1 June – Andrew Motsomi is appointed managing director of Debswana .[ 26]
24 June – The Botswana National Olympic Committee launches the Sport for Life youth sports program.[ 27]
July
12 July – Runner Nijel Amos is suspended from world championship events after a drug test returns positive.[ 30]
September – Parliament authorises the creation of a statutory media board to regulate journalists.[ 34]
9 September – The Botswana–Namibia border becomes an open border .[ 35]
December – An arrest warrant for illegal position of firearms is issued against former President Ian Khama and other former government officials.[ 44]
16 January – Kathleen Nono Kgafela , 79, Bakgatla queen mother.[ 45]
19 January – Polino Baleja , drummer; heart failure.[ 46]
February – Kgosi Maburu , 33, musician; complications from brain surgery.[ 47]
4 March – Tumelo Mafoko , 44, musician.[ 48]
May – Jaqueline Tebogo Khama , 72, daughter of President Seretse Khama and sister of President Ian Khama .[ 49]
2 May – Reuben Ketlhoilwe , 60, Moselepula ward councillor; illness.[ 50]
^ "Botswana's president ends isolation after asymptomatic COVID-19" . Reuters . 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-27 .
^ Gaanakgomo, Constance (2022-01-12). "Makhadzi responds to criticism over Botswana show instead of having one back home" . TimesLIVE . Retrieved 2023-01-27 .
^ "Botswana Diamonds shares shoot up on Thorny River potential" . Mining.com . 2022-01-12. Retrieved 2023-01-27 .
^ Ndebele, Lenin (2022-01-26). "Botswana has stockpile of 3 million Covid-19 vaccines, starts offering booster jabs" . News24 . Retrieved 2023-01-27 .
^ Lute, Aubrey (2022-01-31). "Namibia mulling action against Botswana over BDF inquest ruling" . Weekend Post . Retrieved 2023-01-27 .
^ Riley, John (2022-01-25). "Botswana's president promises to implement court ruling decriminalizing homosexuality" . Metro Weekly . Retrieved 2023-01-27 .
^ Ndebele, Lenin (2022-01-24). "Botswana High Court upholds marijuana licence for single firm to produce cannabis for goods" . News24 . Retrieved 2023-01-27 .
^ Mguni, Mbongeni (2022-02-02). "Botswana to Regulate Crypto That Was Feared Becoming 'Wild West' " . Bloomberg.com . Retrieved 2023-01-27 .
^ "Vast Resources pulls out of deal to buy Botswana's Ghaghoo diamond mine" . Mining.com . 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2023-01-27 .
^ Dube, Mqondisi (2022-02-04). "Botswana Government Waters Down Phone Tapping Bill After Public Outcry" . VOA . Retrieved 2023-01-27 .
^ Dube, Mqondisi (2022-03-20). "Botswana Drops Vaccine Mandate for Travelers" . VOA . Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ Ndebele, Lenin. "SA man among 9 killed in shootout with Botswana police, following cash-in-transit robbery" . News24 . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Koboyatau, Tumelo (2022-03-22). "Khama brothers arrested" . Weekend Post . Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ "Makgophe's arrest an embarrassment" . Mmegi Online . 2022-03-28. Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ "Iconic Big Tusker Elephant Killed by Trophy Hunter in Botswana" . SAPeople . 2022-04-22. Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ Letswela, Kagiso (2022-02-28). "Gov't fears backlash from CKGR burial saga" . Weekend Post . Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ Basimanebotlhe, Tsaone (2023-01-24). "Gaoberekwe's body still in morgue" . Mmegi Online . Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ Bila, Leticia (2022-04-06). "Botswana National Olympic Committee appoints new chief executive" . www.insidethegames.biz . Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ Mosinyi, Thato (2022-04-10). "UDC wins Bophirima ward" . Daily News Botswana . Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ "New COVID-19 variant detected in Botswana, Namibia busy doing genomic surveillance" . Namibia Economist . 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ Dube, Tendai (2022-04-26). "It was hail and not snow that coated parts of Botswana in April, weather experts said" . AFP Fact Check . Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ Mlilo, Portia (2022-04-21). "Botswana Media Freedom Committee launched" . TheVoiceBW . Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ "Former Botswana president faces criminal charges" . Africanews . 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ "Botswana plans $2.5 bln coal-to-liquids plant to cut fuel imports" . Reuters . 2022-05-16. Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ "Work suspended at Botswana's Khoemacau copper mine after accident kills two" . Reuters . 2022-05-21. Retrieved 2022-09-27 .
^ "Debswana hopes new, outsider MD will bring the shine back to its diamond business" . Africa Intelligence . 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ Iveson, Ali (2022-06-24). "Botswana NOC starts Sport for Life project with administrators' training course" . www.insidethegames.biz . Retrieved 2023-01-29 .
^ Haseltine, William A. "An End To HIV In Botswana, Why Can't We Accomplish The Same In The US?" . Forbes . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ "Botswana Diamonds kicks off drilling at Thorny River's high-grade area" . Mining.com . 2022-07-18. Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ "Botswana's Amos suspended for doping ahead of World Championships" . Reuters . 2022-07-13. Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Tjitemisa, Kuzeeko (2022-08-18). "Masisi reported to ICC over Nchindo killings" . New Era Live . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Mguni, Mbongeni (2022-10-17). "Botswana Resumes Beef Exports to EU After Foot-and-Mouth Ban" . Bloomberg . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ "Of 14%, 12% & 0% VAT post 03.08.22" . The Business Weekly & Review . 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Harber, Anton (2022-09-28). "Botswana Media Practitioner Act is a threat to freedom of the media" . Daily Maverick . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Williams, Chad. "Namibia and Botswana to abolish the use of passports between the two countries" . www.iol.co.za . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ "Namibia and Botswana agree to exchange prisoners" . The Namibian . 2022-10-28. Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ "Botswana: Authorities remove COVID-19 entry restrictions as of Oct. 18" . Crisis24 . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Obinna, Emelike (2022-11-06). "African tourism on spotlight at ATLF 2022" . Businessday NG . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Bulbulia, Tasneem (2022-11-07). "Tsodilo initiates legal action against Botswana Ministry" . Mining Weekly . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Mguni, Mbongeni (2022-11-04). "Power Cuts Hit Botswana After Main Generation Plant Fails" . Bloomberg.com . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ "Saudi minister meets with President of Botswana in Gaborone" . Arab News . 2022-11-04. Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ "Orange launches first African 5G network in Botswana" . Reuters . 2022-11-11. Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Bothoko, Pini (2022-12-02). "Botswana records first combat death" . Mmegi Online . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ "Ian Khama: Botswana issues arrest warrant for former president" . BBC News . 2022-12-30. Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Selatlhwa, Innocent (2022-01-18). "Bakgatla queen mother passes on At 79" . Mmegi Online . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Kaelo, Goitsemodimo (2022-01-23). "Showbiz industry pays tribute to late Polino" . Mmegi Online . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Kaelo, Goitsemodimo (2022-02-08). "Music industry mourns Kgosi Maburu" . Mmegi Online . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Kaelo, Goitsemodimo (2022-03-06). "Remembering the iconic late Mafoko" . Mmegi Online . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Tlhankane, Mompati (2022-05-24). "Khama family mourns eldest kin" . Mmegi Online . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .
^ Mkhutshwa, Lesedi (2022-05-09). "Tributes pour in for Ketlhoilwe" . Mmegi Online . Retrieved 2023-01-30 .