17 Apr 2016

A locomotive belonging to the Botswana Railways sustained slight burns on Thursday (April 14) following an engine failure, the company communications manager Mr Kebabonye Morewagae has confirmed.

He said that only a small fraction of the 22 metre locomotive, which was bound for Lobatse, was damaged by the fire.

He said those in charge of the locomotive reported that they realised that something was wrong when they saw smoke coming out of the train.

They reportedly observed that it also started slowing down by itself.

They brought it to a halt near Mogobane, put out the fire and called the fire department.

He said the locomotive had since been parked at the Ramotswa station awaiting inspection.

It will, in due course, be taken to the Botswana Railways workshop in Mahalapye where it will be attended to.

He said further investigations into the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage would ensue. He said that the locomotive would return to the rail as soon as it was fixed.

Mr Morewagae indicated that the goods that it was carrying were not affected. He said officers who were travelling in the train immediately disconnected one of the two locomotives which did not burn.

He assured the public that the Botswana Railways would attend to such incidents with the seriousness that they deserved to ensure that rail transportation remained a viable option for business and the public. ENDS