03 Mar 2025

 In a move to aimed at curbing the loss of life often associated with the Easter weekend travel, Francistown police are engaging with churches this year. When addressing congregants of the Spiritual Healing Church in Francistown, Divisional Traffic Commander (North), Assistant Commissioner  Modisaotsile Solomon said the initiative marks a significant shift in the police’s Easter road safety campaign, moving beyond simply targeting individual motorists to engaging with the organisers of large-scale churches transport.

Last year’s devastating bus accident near Mmamatlakala in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, that claimed 45 lives, all members of the Engenas Zion Christian Church (ZCC), and left only one survivor, a young girl, served as a stark wake-up call.

Mr Solomon said the tragedy highlighted a recurring pattern of the high number of fatalities involving church congregants transported in buses during the Easter holidays. While the police typically focus their road safety campaigns on individual drivers during the peak holiday travel period, Mr Solomon said they have since recognised the need for a more holistic approach.

“We cannot simply address motorists individually during this period,” explained Mr Solomon.

“Time and again, we see large numbers of church members perish in road accidents. This year, our strategy is to work with churches to ensure the safe transportation of their congregations,” he noted.

He emphasised that the responsibility for road safety extends beyond the driver as it includes the church leaders organising transport.

“We will not only be emphasising the legal requirements but also urging churches to seek divine guidance in ensuring the safety of their flock,” added Mr Solomon.

He explained that with this collaborative effort, the police request churches to join them in making ths coming Easter holidays a safer one, to pray for safe journeys, and to actively participate in making responsible choices. He explained that the initiative is viewed by the police as a significant step towards minimising the tragic toll of road accidents during the Easter season in Botswana.

Mr Solomon stated that the police are targeting churches with large congregations, including the ZCC, United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), Saint John Apostolic Faith Mission Church, and Eloi Christian Church, amongst others.

Mr Solomon indicated that the ultimate goal is to conduct this initiative before the Easter holidays scheduled for April 18.

Mr Solomon’s presentations focused on the roadworthiness of vehicles used for transporting church members, ensuring that all the necessary permits are in place, the importance of employing competent and well-rested drivers, the absolute prohibition of alcohol consumption by drivers, and strict adherence to all provisions of the Road Traffic Act, including speed limits, driver licensing regulations, and passenger load restrictions.  ENDS