06 Aug 2025

Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure has not performed any gravelling on the Khuis-Khawa road before or after the Khawa Dune Challenge. Assistant Minister Keoagile Atamelang said in the   absence of re-gravelling there were no costs incurred.

However, the Assistant Minister stated that the ministry undertook dry grading of the road on a quarterly basis through the in-house units to improve its condition. 

In addition to the regular maintenance, he said the ministry often undertook dry grading before and after the Khawa event. 

He said records from the Botswana’ Police indicated that the number of road accidents related to the Khawa Dune Challenge to date since 2012 was 29. 

Mr Atamelang said of these accidents, two were fatal, two serious, and nine were minor and 15 were vehicle damages only.

He told parliament that the distance of the road linking Khawa from the B211 road at Khuis village was 84km, including the 10km link to Gakhibane. 

The assistant minister said in terms of a detailed feasibility study, it was difficult to state categorically if it would be cost effective to upgrade the road.

He explained that the ministry considered commencing the design for the project in the last financial year, however, due to financial constraints, the project could not proceed. 

Mr Atamelang was responding to a question from Kgalagadi North MP, Mr Reason Lekutlane who had asked the minister to state the cost of re-gravelling the Khuis-Khawa gravel road before the Khawa Dune Challenge and if the said road was indeed rehabilitated after the event.

Mr Lekutlane had also wanted the minister to state the number of road accidents related to the Khawa Dune Challenge since its inception. The legislator had further wanted to know the road distance, and if it was not cost effective to tar the road, and if so, when will it be tarred. ENDS