24 Feb 2025

Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa, has stated that the recent flood represented a significant disaster in the country’s  history, serving as a critical learning experience for the new government.
Following a visit to flood-affected areas in Francistown, including sites of significant infrastructure damage, Mr Mohwasa highlighted the inadequate construction of bridges, roads, and culverts.
He noted that several companies had expressed interest in assisting government efforts to repair the damaged infrastructure. Despite acknowledging the country’s financial constraints, he emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting the affected Batswana.
The flood caused widespread suffering, resulting in fatalities and significant material losses. In Francistown alone, two Zimbabwean boys, aged nine and 17, drowned while retrieving fishing nets in the Ntshe River, with similar tragedies occurring elsewhere in the country.
 Mr Mohwasa emphasised that while this was a major challenge for the new government, they are committed to providing assistance despite financial limitations.
He highlighted the role of the national disaster management committee, now operating at the district level under District Commissioners in coordinating relief efforts.
He urged the committee to improve its response time and ensure timely assistance to victims.
Accompanied by Ministers Messers Tiroeaone Ntsima and Ignatius Moswaane, and the Francistown leadership, Mr Mohwasa toured the affected areas, including BZ location, Area 11 in Monarch location, and Block 1.
He witnessed first hand the devastation, observing families struggling to salvage belongings and dry clothing amidst the lingering threat of further flooding.
In Block 1, Mr Nekati Stewart, the owner of a heavy equipment company, described the significant losses he suffered, including washed-away tires, a bowser tank, cement, and concrete, which he believes are now likely at Dikgatlong Dam in Robelela.
Mr Mohwasa also visited Ms Masego Pule’s poultry farm, where over 2  000 broiler chickens perished and Dothodzo Funeral Parlour, where rising floodwaters forced the relocation of a body and significantly impacted the business, especially given the recent purchase of new caskets.
The tour concluded at the Botswana Railways houses, which were also severely flooded. Expressing his condolences to all the affected, Mr Mohwasa promised assistance following a comprehensive assessment of the damage.
His visit to Francistown is part of a nationwide tour undertaken on behalf of the President to assess the extent of the flood damage. ENDS