A1'S OPEN GRAVES

The government is gearing up to roll out its ambitious plan to transform the A1 into a modern dual carriageway, but the wait is increasingly becoming unbearable for motorists, especially on the Francistown- Serule stretch.Motorists plying this stretch on a daily basis are forced to confront the harsh reality of battered vehicles, burst tyres, and rising accidents.Linking the country from Ramatlabama through Gaborone to Francistown and onward to Ramokgwebana, the A1 is more than just a road; it is Botswana’s economic lifeline.But it is the Serule–Francistown section, a gateway to the northern parts of the country, that has become synonymous with congestion, heavy traffic, and danger.Area councillor Ishmael Tsiapana, who serves Topisi, Moreomabele, and Lechana, painted a grim picture of the situation, saying the road is riddled with potholes that go unattended for weeks.He expressed frustration at what he described as slow and inconsistent maintenance. “You will find a pothole at the same place for three weeks while cars are getting damaged daily,” he said.According to Tsiapana, the problem worsens during peak travel periods such as holidays, when traffic volumes surge.“From Serule to Moreomabele it becomes a mess, tyres burst, cars are damaged, and this does not paint a good picture for the country,” he said.His concerns are also shared by Councillor Dineo Tumotumo of Thomadithotse ward in Palapye, who questioned the commitment of those tasked with maintaining the road.“While we wait for the promised dual carriageway, those responsible for pothole maintenance seem reluctant to do even the basics; some officers need to be pushed to do their job,” Tumotumo said.He noted that the lack of urgency could be interpreted as defiance or even sabotage of government efforts to improve infrastructure.Tsiapana suggested that the government hires local communities along the A1 to carry out regular patchwork repairs.“If the department is overstretched, why not engage people who live near the road? They can monitor and fix potholes quickly before they become a danger,” he said.Another pressing concern is the lack of adequate warning signs. He noted that drivers, especially at night or during rainy conditions, often mistake potholes filled with water for harmless puddles.“On rainy days, it is worse, you think it is just water, only to hit what feels like an open grave,” Tsiapana warned.Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Noah Salakae has confirmed intentions to transform the 640km A1 Highway into a dual carriageway and introduce toll gates under a Public-Private Partnership model.The plan, which includes feasibility studies and long-term private investment, is expected to significantly improve safety and capacity on the country’s busiest road.

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A1'S OPEN GRAVES