Botswana-based e-commerce startup, Ponatshego, continues to owe customers approximately P350,000 (~$25K) for goods that were bought but not delivered, a year after it ceased operations due to lack of funds. One patron, who had spent P7,000 (~$505) on a gaming console in January 2023 expressed dissatisfaction with the continuous excuses provided the co-founders.
Ponatshego’s co-founder, Motshidisi Ngaiti, communicated his intention to sell his car as part of a plan to pay back customers, following the liquidation of the company according to messages reviewed by TechCabal. In another incident, a customer who had spent P13,000 ($290) as of July 2022. The customer claims attempts to contact the company since then have been in vain.
Ngaiti stated in an interview with TechCabal that he has paid 50% of the company’s total debt, approximately P350,000, covering customer refunds and other debts. He further indicated that the founding partners agreed to settle Ponatshego’s unpaid debts based on their shares in the company. Ngaiti also alleged that he covered some of his business partner William Whittle’s share of the debt, a claim that Whittle denied.
Whittle acknowledged the outstanding customer refunds but did not provide a timeline for repayments, stating that a process is underway to ensure their fulfillment.
Launched in 2020, Ponatshego primarily focused on delivering high-end products ordered through its online platform, and hosting a marketplace for local brands. The company garnered P250,000 (~$18,000) in seed funding from the Angel Network of Botswana (ANB) in May 2021. Although Ponatshego aimed to expand services to SADC countries, its financial implosion and consequential debts have tainted its standing among customers.
A customer expressing their disenchantment with local e-commerce platforms stated, “I tried reporting the case to the relevant regulators, but I have given up now. They have tainted local e-commerce platforms for me.”
