23 Feb 2025

Construction of the long awaited Tsabong multispecies abattoir is 99 per cent complete.

Speaking during a visit of the abattoir on Friday, Ministry of Lands and Agriculture Director Projects, Mr Ofentse Kgaogano explained that the facility, which had been slated for completion in July 2022 was expected to be finished by March 31 this year.

He confirmed that the contractor being IPS Botswana would hand the project to the ministry on March 31 and the ministry would then hand it to Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) for operation. “We are putting in extra effort to ensure that all tasks are completed by March 31 in time for the handing over,” Mr Kgaogano stated. He said the project, which was implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture, was aimed at creating employment and alleviating congestion at other abattoirs across the country.

He noted that the project, which started in December 2020 was delayed by challenges posed by COVID-19, transportation of materials, shortage of water and electricity because Tsabong gets its electricity from South Africa.

For his part BMC Chief Technical Officer, Mr Oabona Ramotshwara said his team was ready to operate the facility once the project had been handed to the commission. He stated that it would take  six weeks to install equipment, train staff after which the abattoir would be ready to operate. Mr Ramotshwara called for support and cooperation from local farmers and other stakeholders to ensure smooth running of the abattoir. ENDS