10 Apr 2019

Botswana roads are not safe to use due to the number of livestock found during the day and at night, Parliament was told on April 9.

Answering a question, Minister of Transport and Communications, Ms Dorcas Makgato said the current strategy for safety on the roads was to fence them. 

She said it was obvious that the strategy required all stakeholders to play their part, such as road users closing gates and farmers looking after their cattle, adding that her ministry engaged other stakeholders to assist in the implementation and enforcement, including the police.

“We also periodically hire Small Medium and Micro Enterprises to chase the animals from the road reserves, but this is not sustainable,” she said.

Ms Makgato further said; “We need to rethink some our policies, such as the one on land use in order to address issues such as animals roaming the roads. These animals stray into roads as a consequence of our commercial land use. What we need is fenced grazing areas.”

On the question of who paid the annual road levy between the farmers and the vehicle road users, Ms Makgato said the road users or vehicle owners paid for the annual road levy.

The minister further said if the vehicle hit an animal on the road, vehicle owner may pay for the repair of the vehicle on his own account or through their insurance and then claim the damages from the owner of the animal. The owner of the animal may pay for damages if he is readily available and willing to pay. 

She said the owner of the animal payed a fine for having let the animal roam on the road reserve. 

“This is in accordance with Section 100 (2) (b) of the Road Traffic Act,” she said.

Ms Makgato further said the Road Traffic Act Section 105 indemnifies government for damages to property within the road reserve. Therefore government cannot be sued for damages when vehicles are involved in accidents.

She said it was the responsibility of the farmers to keep the road clear of livestock, especially cattle and horses.

The minister further said according Road Traffic Act Section 100 (2) (b), no owner or person in charge of any cattle or other animals shall; permit such cattle or other animals to be on a main road unless they are attended by a person in such a manner as to have proper control over them. 

She further said no person or owner in charge of any cattle or other animals shall leave such cattle or other animals in a place from which they are likely to stray on to the main road. 

Member of Parliament for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked the minister if Botswana roads were safe to use, looking at the number of domestic animals found on the roads during the day and at night.

He also wanted the minister to state who payed the annual road levy between the farmers and the drivers; if a vehicle owner hit a cow on the road who payed for the damages incurred on the vehicle and why; whether vehicle owners could claim damages to their vehicle from government; and if not, why

He also wanted to know who was responsible for keeping the roads clear of livestock, especially cattle and horses; and when Batswana or road users in Botswana would enjoy animal-free roads like in other countries and the strategy towards reaching the goal. ENDS