Despite ongoing efforts by the city council to repair potholes and maintain road infrastructure, the councillors expressed disappointment over the pace and quality of the interventions, calling for immediate and comprehensive action. Raising the matter, several councillors lamented that potholes have become a common hazard on most city roads, posing danger to motorists, damaging vehicles, and also giving a poor image of the country’s capital. They questioned whether the company currently contracted for road maintenance is capable of handling the deteriorating conditions, pointing out that the repairs appear slow and ineffective. Councillor Mpule Maplanka was particularly vocal, stating that some tarred roads in Gaborone have been completely eroded, especially internal roads in residential areas. “Our roads are in a very bad state. The potholes have become worse than ever. This is the capital city, and we should be leading by example. Yet some roads have been completely washed away,” he said.
In addition to the concerns, Councillor Sergeant Kgosietsile stressed the urgent need for road maintenance to be prioritised, warning that delays in action could result in further infrastructure collapse. “Issues of road maintenance need to be treated with urgency. Delays will only worsen the situation, and repairs will become more costly in the future,” he cautioned. In response to the pressing concerns, Gaborone City Council Town Clerk, Daniel Katjinotjiwa, offered an assessment of the situation. He acknowledged that the city’s road infrastructure is outdated and has far exceeded its intended lifespan. “Many of our roads were constructed over 20 to 30 years ago. Their lifespan has long elapsed. Even when we patch potholes, the surface breaks again or cracks appear on the sides. Some roads are now beyond repair and need to be completely reconstructed,” he explained. To date, the council has repaired approximately 13,093 square meters of road at a cost of P3, 665,555.20, according to a recent update by Mayor Oarabile Motlaleng. However, councillors noted that despite this investment, the repairs are not sufficient to make a meaningful difference across the city.
