24 Mar 2025

The Assistant Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Keoagile Atamelang has said the Shakwe (Makwate turn-off)-Makwate-Parrshalt border post road has been shelved and could not proceed to the construction phase due to budgetary constraints.

He told Parliamentary on Friday, that the project comprised the tarred section of the road from Mahalapye to the Makwate turnoff near Shakwe, which is 25 km and the untarred Makwate turn off.

He said the 46 km Makwate-Parrshalt Border Post section was gravel/earth road and this road section was designed to Bitumen standard under the National Development Plan (NDP) 9 in 2008.

Mr Atamelang said the ministry recognised the importance of infrastructure development in stimulating the economy and improving quality of life.

“Accordingly, the road is constantly being maintained to make it usable at all times,” he added.

He further admitted that the ministry was aware of the potential of Mahalapye-Makwate-Parrshalt road in terms of economic value to the country and the communities in its vicinity, since it would stimulate the movement of goods between South Africa and Botswana through the border post.

Mr Atamelang said that at the said time, it would be linking local communities to potential domestic markets.

“As aforementioned, the tarring of the unsurfaced Shakwe-Makwate turnoff-Makwate-Parrshalt Border Post Road section has been delayed primarily due to shortage of funds for construction since its design,” he noted.

Furthermore, he said the current Transitional National Development Plan does not include the construction of the Makwate section of road to bitumen standard.

The construction of the road, he said, would therefore be considered under the upcoming NDP 12 together with other competing priorities, subject to the availability of funds.

MP for Shoshong, Mr Moneedi Bagaisamang had asked the minister to update Parliament about the Mahalapye, Makwate and Parrshalt road in particular.

He had also asked if the minister was aware of the potential of the road in terms of economic value to Botswana and about the delays that affect the construction of a tarred road.

Furthermore, he had wanted that the minister update on whether there are plans to tar the road in the near future, if so when. ENDS