07 Oct 2015

Gaborone City Council (GCC) has adopted a motion requesting the department of roads, transport and safety to implement the law that binds vehicle owners to have fire extinguishers and triangle signs.

Debating the motion during the ongoing full council, Councillor Tetelo Thebe of Tsogang ward said carrying a warning triangle in vehicles, be it private and or public transport was a legal requirement that seemed not to be in use.

Councillor Thebe said having warning triangle was compulsory, but drivers seemed not to care. Councillor Thebe said some vehicles burnt to ashes due to lack of lack of fire extinguishers. He said when vehicles caught fire, people put it out using soil or water.

Otherwise, he said, they would watch the vehicle burn to ashes.

He said for the safety of everyone, fire extinguishers and warning triangle sign should be a mandate for all.

Mr Peter Chicho of Ledumang ward  said fire extinguishers could save lives. He said drivers should always be prepared for a breakdown by keeping a convenient warning triangle in their vehicles. He said a warning triangle could help to alert other road users in case of a break down.

Councillor Olebogeng Kemelo of Bontleng ward stated that the concerned department should take the law into consideration.

He said the law should be effective, saying officers concerned did not check for either warning triangle sign or fire extinguishers. The council resolved that they would write to the ministry regarding their concern. Ends