23 Jun 2025

As the first phase of Gaborone’s city upkeep campaign nears completion this August, the Gaborone City Council (GCC) has ramped up its efforts to enhance cleanliness, safety, and urban infrastructure.

The city’s chief environmental health officer, Mr Patrick Oleseng said the campaign, which began in June, was being intensified to address ongoing sanitation concerns across the city.

The exercise includes litter picking, desilting of storm water drainage, road markings and repairs as well as inspection of retail outlets.

“As of yesterday, 24 food outlets were inspected, and 15 were found to be non-compliant with hygiene standards,” Oleseng revealed.

He said penalties for food outlets found to be non-compliant depended on the severity of the offence, with consequences ranging from fines starting at P1 000, temporary closure of the business until necessary improvements were made and a re-inspection is passed, to the seizure and condemnation of food, among others.

“Authorities may suspend or revoke the food business license, especially for repeat offenders,” he said.

He added that some of the most common violations discovered during inspections include employing food handlers without valid medical certificates, selling food unfit for human consumption as defined by the Food Control Act and evidence of pest infestation

He urged members of the public to take responsibility for maintaining clean surroundings and called on business owner, particularly those in the food industry to uphold proper hygiene standards without waiting for inspections. ENDS