27 Jan 2016

 Heavily loaded vehicles will be monitored by law enforcement officials to ensure that they do not pose danger on roads.

Answering a question during the ongoing Ntlo Ya Dikgosi session on Tuesday, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo said he was aware that there were some foreign drivers who overload goods from neighbouring countries transiting Botswana.

Mr Mabeo said all vehicles with a gross mass exceeding 3 500 kilogrammes were weighed at the weigh bridge, adding that it was mandatory in accordance with the Road Traffic Act.

He said in addition drivers with loaded vehicles should have a valid road worthy certificate and a valid road transport permit.

He explained that if they were found to be in violation of Botswana’s legislation, they were charged and ordered or escorted to leave the country by a duly authorised person in pursuance to Section 7 of the Road Transport Permit Act.

Mr Mabeo also said there were light duty vehicles which were transiting Botswana at an alarming rate, some heavily loaded with goods and pulling loaded trailers as well.

He said law enforcement units would continue to monitor the situation and impose charges for improper loading.

He said his ministry would continue to engage other law enforcement agencies with a view of coming up with a long lasting solution to the issue.

Mr Mabeo also said his ministry, through the Department of Roads, would intensify the use of mobile weighbridges and also educate the public on the dangers of overloading small vehicles.

He also said the ministry was in the process of reviewing the Road Traffic Act to close any loopholes.

Kgosi Sekgoma Moipolai of the North East region had wanted the minister to explain why Botswana, especially along the A1 road, continues to have overloaded foreign vehicles with luggage not firmly secured and not road worthy.

He also wanted to know if the minister was aware that such vehicles break down and pose a danger to other road users and what steps would be taken to ensure compliance by the vehicle owners. ENDS