16 Dec 2025

Evidence shows that red-light violations remain a major cause of accidents in Botswana, often resulting in long-term health challenges and high medical costs, President Advocate Duma Boko has revealed.

Speaking at the official launch of the Traffic Signal Modernisation and Centralised Traffic Control Centre (CTCC) for Gaborone and surrounding areas, President Boko hailed the facility as an intelligence platform that would shape transport policy and urban planning for decades to come.

President Boko stated that the launch demonstrated government’s commitment to improving public safety, transport efficiency and emergency preparedness.

“We have installed a unified command centre. It is the most significant investment in integrated traffic management and crisis response infrastructure in the history of our nation,” said President Boko.

He noted that the centre would provide critical information to support effective decision-making by law enforcement and the courts.

“This will ensure the quicker disposal of cases and offer invaluable data for experts involved in accident management,” he added.

He added that the CTCC was a cornerstone of future crisis management and highlighted its role as a central coordination hub for key stakeholders during emergencies.

“It will be the brain and heartbeat of our emergency response. It will assist in coordinating police, fire services, emergency medical services, public health authorities, and transport departments under one roof,” he said.

He emphasised that a well-coordinated response was vital during disasters to avoid the confusion, miscommunication and duplication of efforts that often put citizens at risk.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae, said the ministry and the Botswana Police Service were currently finalising regulations that would govern the use of red-light and speed violation cameras for traffic enforcement.

Mr Salakae said the regulations were expected to take effect before end of the current financial year.

Through the project, government reaffirmed that land transport development remained a strategic priority, as outlined in the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme and National Development Plan 12.

The project is being executed under a Design, Build, Maintain, Operate and Transfer (DBMOT) contract at a total cost of P534,164,575.00.

Having commenced in November 2017 with a contract duration of 123 months, the project is scheduled for completion in February 2028. ENDS