Lobatse Clay Works’ revival has come under threat after a contractor asked the High Court to place the Botswana Development Corporation (BDC) subsidiary under provisional liquidation over an alleged unpaid P606,300 bill.
Bokhamo (Pty) Ltd filed the petition at the Gaborone High Court on 9 September 2026, arguing that the brick manufacturer is unable to pay its debts.
The application brings a winding-up bid against a company whose reopening was presented as a boost for local manufacturing, employment and Botswana’s ambitions to reduce dependence on imports.
In May 2025, the African Development Bank reported that its financial support had helped the plant reopen in 2024. It said the revived operation had created 148 direct jobs and was producing three million bricks a month for domestic and regional markets.
Now, a dispute over payment for transporting the clay used in that manufacturing operation has reached court.
According to the petition, Bokhamo entered into a P906,300 agreement with LCW on 12 June 2026 to transport clay from Mmamabula to the company’s factory in Lobatse.
Bokhamo, represented by its director Comfort Bokhalanyane, says it completed the work and submitted its statement on 23 July. Payment was due within 30 days.
The contractor alleges that the deadline passed without payment despite repeated communication over the outstanding amount.
Its lawyers, Lawrence & Associates, issued a demand on 25 August, seeking settlement of the P906,300.
LCW subsequently paid P300,000 on 29 August, according to the petition. A bank payment notification attached to the court papers records a payment of that amount from LCW to Bokhamo.
The contractor says the remaining P606,300 was still outstanding when it approached the court.
Bokhamo also alleges that it took the matter to BDC on 1 September, prompting a conference call involving LCW general manager Anthony Moepeng and his superiors.
During that call, according to the petition, Moepeng was instructed to prepare and submit a payment plan for the outstanding balance. Bokhamo alleges that he failed to do so.
“The Respondent is accordingly commercially insolvent and unable to pay its debts,” the contractor argues in its petition.
Bokhamo wants Laurettah Sibanda appointed provisional liquidator, pending the appointment of a liquidator by the Master of the High Court. Her written consent to act if appointed is attached to the application.
The relief sought would give the provisional liquidator control of LCW’s bank accounts, excluding its existing directors and signatories. It would also authorise her to continue or discontinue the business and retain or terminate contracts.
Bokhamo argues that intervention is necessary to protect assets for creditors and prevent further indebtedness. It also warns that separate enforcement proceedings by other creditors could result in assets being sold, potentially leaving employees without terminal benefits.
