10 Jun 2021

The Ministry of Transport and Communications will devise temporary measures to improve the condition of Motlhabaneng and Lentswelemoriti access road while awaiting its inclusion in the national development plan.

Speaking in an interview after touring some ‘troublesome' roads in Bobonong constituency, Minister Thulagano Segokgo said parts of the road would be re-gravelled to make it user friendly.

Prior to the interview,  Lentswelemoriti and Motlhabaneng representatives had told Minister Segokgo during a kgotla meeting that the road had turned into a stream and was degenerating into a death trap. 

According to the representatives, rains had washed away gravel, turned the road into a stream thereby forcing road users to detour and drive under power lines.

The minister said whilst awaiting inclusion of the road in the plan, the road department would amongst other things place culverts at proper points, unblock others to redirect water and re-gravel the road.

Acknowledging the terrible state of the road, he said it turned into streams which resulted in the gravel being washed away, especially during rainy seasons.

Mr Segokgo said controlling water as well as placing bridges and culverts at strategic points  was therefore critical.

“It is therefore imperative that their political leadership advocate for the inclusion of this road in the national development plan,” he said further explaining that it could only be tarred if included in the plan and its budget approved by Parliament. 

On other roads, Mr Segokgo expressed concern at the slow pace of works at Moletemane access road.

Conceding that the road had been delayed by the environment management plan, the minister however said the pace was not satisfactory. 

“We will keep a keen eye on the project to ensure that management and supervision of the road push it to completion by end of the year,” said Mr Segokgo. 

The minister also said there was need to tar the gravel road leading to Platjan Bridge to help expedite movement of people and goods between Botswana and South Africa. 

The road also aids movement between Botswana and Zimbabwe through the Mabolwe Border Post. Ends