08 Sep 2026

Residents of Francistown have joined the City Council in a 14- day community drive to patch potholes across the city’s damaged road network.

 The initiative aims to improve road safety and upgrade the overall condition of local roads. In an interview, Principal Road Engineer, Mr Isaac Legase, stated that council engaged the community because roads department was currently facing acute manpower shortages and limited funding. 

“Due to current financial constraints, the council does not have budget to outsource pothole patching to private contractors as it did in the past,” he said. 

He noted that the community has responded positively and welcomed the initiative as evidenced by the high turnout.   However, he explained that most of the city’s roads were old and have surpassed their design lifespan, leading to extensive defects like severe cracking and broken road edges.  

 Mr Legase relayed that this initiative was the first of its kind in Francistown, noting that similar exercises in towns like Selebi-Phikwe have previously proven effective. He added that council plans to continue with such programmes, especially since heavy rainfall in the past had left most roads heavily damaged.

 The Councillor for Selolwe Ward, Mr Isaac Keleagetse, also welcomed the initiative, emphasising that community involvement was crucial during difficult times.  He pointed out that most internal roads in Francistown were riddled with potholes and that this partnership with residents would help address the problem while official resources remain limited. ENDS