No winners in transport standoff - BCP warns
correspondent | Sunday April 5, 2026 13:07
In a statement released on April 5, the party said it wishes to express grave concern regarding the ongoing transport strike and the deteriorating relationship between the government and public transport operators particularly the Bus Operators Association of Botswana (BOBOA).
BCP noted that operators had already begun strike action, signalling the severity of the standoff.
The party urged the government to approach the matter with “the maturity and foresight required of a national leadership rather than the reactionary tactics we have witnessed recently.”
The BCP attributed the crisis to what it termed “administrative shenanigans” by Transport Minister Noah Salakae and the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government.
It highlighted the recent decision to increase transport fares, only to reverse it shortly after public backlash, as a key factor fuelling instability.
“Such policy trickery and flip-flopping are damaging to the economy, erode investor confidence, and demonstrate a lack of clear fiscal direction,” the statement read.
While critical of the government, the BCP acknowledged the pressure faced by operators.
'In light of the recent fuel hikes, your profitability is under direct threat. We recognise that fare increases are often a matter of business sustenance rather than choice,” BCP noted.
At the same time, the party stressed that commuters remain the most affected. “Commuters are already grappling with an all round increase in the cost of living and further fare hikes will only exacerbate their financial hardship,” the BCP noted.
The statement follows the dismissal of The Association’s urgent court application against the government yesterday before Judge Masilo Mathaka of Gaborone High Court.
However, the BCP cautioned against celebrating the outcome, stating, there is no winner in this matter except losers being the economy and the people.
It further urged both parties to return to the negotiating table.
'Therefore we urge for an urgent, honest and sustained dialogue between Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Noah Salakae, his team and transport operators,' read the statement.
“We need leadership that thinks ahead, not just reacts to the crises it helped create,” the BCP said, warning that failure to act decisively could worsen the already fragile situation.
In closing the BCP urged the government to subsidise fuel prices as a way to mitigate the rising tensions.