The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has issued a strongly worded call for calm, dialogue and decisive leadership as the country teeters on the brink of a public transport shutdown. The BCP warned that the ongoing standoff risks crippling both the economy and ordinary livelihoods.
In a statement released amid growing tensions between government and transport operators, the opposition party expressed “grave concern” over the deteriorating relationship between authorities and the Botswana Bus Operators Association (BOBOA), noting that a strike could already be underway.
“The government must handle the planned strike with the maturity and foresight required of a national leadership rather than the reactionary tactics we have witnessed recently,” the BCP said.
The statement shows that at the centre of the dispute is a controversial adjustment of public transport fares. The Ministry of Transport recently approved a fare increase following negotiations with operators, only to reverse the decision shortly after public backlash. The BCP has criticised the move describing it as policy inconsistency that undermines economic stability.
“We find ourselves in this precarious situation due to the administrative shenanigans of Transport Minister Noah Salakae and the UDC government,” the statement reads. “Such policy trickery and flip-flopping are damaging to the economy, erode investor confidence, and demonstrate a lack of clear fiscal direction.”
“We find ourselves in this precarious situation due to the administrative shenanigans of Transport Minister Noah Salakae and the UDC government,” the statement reads. “Such policy trickery and flip-flopping are damaging to the economy, erode investor confidence, and demonstrate a lack of clear fiscal direction.”
The party acknowledged the financial pressures facing transport operators, particularly in the wake of rising fuel prices, saying fare hikes are often necessary for business survival rather than profit-making.
“To the transport operators: we fully understand and empathise with your plight. In light of the recent fuel hikes, your profitability is under direct threat,” the BCP said.
However, it also warned that commuters who already burdened by rising living costs would be hardest hit by any further increases in fares.
“Unless there is an improvement to their cost of living, further fare hikes will only exacerbate their financial hardship,” the party added.
The BCP further weighed in on the recent court ruling in which transport operators lost their case against the government. While the judgement dismissed the operators’ challenge, reasons are yet to be provided by the court. The party cautioned against interpreting the outcome as a victory.
“It is our view that the government should not view this as victory, for there is no winner in this matter except losers being the economy and the people but as a final opportunity to engage before the sector collapses,” the statement said.
“The government must provide a sustainable solution, such as fuel subsidies or tax incentives rather than acting as a roadblock to fair pricing,” the BCP said.
The party has called for urgent, transparent and sustained dialogue between Salakae and industry stakeholders, arguing that confrontation will only deepen the crisis.
“The government must provide a sustainable solution, such as fuel subsidies or tax incentives rather than acting as a roadblock to fair pricing,” the BCP said.
In statement, the government said the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Noah Salakae and Tirafalo Mponang, a representative of Transport Operatives of Botswana along with their teams are currently engaged in a late-night dialogue at the Ministry in Gaborone.
The discussions aim to serve the public good, focusing on the interests of commuters, operators and the broader transport sector.
The negotiations are positive and collaborative, reflecting a shared commitment to finding mutually beneficial solutions.
