11 Mar 2026

The Department of Road Transport Services and the Botswana Police Service play complementary roles in regulating and enforcing road transport operations in Botswana. 

This was said by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae responding to a Parliamentary question on Tuesday. Minister Salakae explained that DRTS was primarily responsible for establishing policies and procedures that regulated road transport services in line with the country’s statutory framework and international best practice. 

He said the department also enforced road transport operations through its Transport Inspectorate Division. However, Mr Salakae noted that the Botswana Police Service was mandated to enforce all written laws in the country, including road transport legislation such as the Road Traffic Act and the Road Transport Permit Act. 

The minister explained that under Section 54 of the Road Traffic Act, police officers were empowered to arrest motorists suspected of committing certain offences without a warrant.

“These offences include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless and dangerous driving and causing death by reckless driving. Transport inspectors do not have the power to arrest motorists who violate the Act. Instead, they can only recommend appropriate charges to the police where a road traffic offence is detected,” he added. 

He further stated that Section 116 of the Road Traffic Act allowed police officers in uniform to stop vehicles, inspect them and ensure compliance with the law. 

Other authorised officials, including transport inspectors and licensing officers, he said may also enter and inspect vehicles or premises where there was reasonable suspicion that an offence under the Act had been committed.

Mr Salakae added that regulations under the Act empowered the police to regulate traffic, prevent obstruction on roads and temporarily restrict access to roads during emergencies or public events.

With regard to road transport permits, he said Section 27 of the Road Transport (Permits) Act empowered both the Botswana Police Service and authorised officers from DRTS to stop vehicles and demand the production of permits or relevant documents to ensure compliance with the law.

Mr Salakae said the two institutions therefore worked in a complementary manner to regulate and enforce road transport operations and ensure adherence to the country’s regulatory framework.

Mmopane/Metsimotlhabe MP, Ms Helen Manyeneng, had asked the minister to clarify the respective roles of the DRTS and the Botswana Police Service in regulating and enforcing road transport operations. BOPA