Africa-Press – Botswana. When the Vice President Slumber Tsogwane appeared on the state owned Botswana Television to pronounce that a decision has been taken by the government to purchase houses that have been put on sale by the BCL liquidator, the general notion was that the issue is now closed.
However, it has emerged that it is not everyone who is on board. Some of the affected former BCL employees have since petitioned the government over the recent move citing lack of clear communication.
Western Ebipile, who speaks on behalf of the affected former employees, says the petition was influenced by the government’s reluctance to make a formal communication with ex-miners.
“We decided to petition President Mokgweetsi Masisi because no formal communication from government has been made and that is worrying because we have always wanted to seek audience on the matter. We are expecting the President to respond to our petition in the shortest time possible so that ex miners can have a better understanding in terms of whether or not we will be given priority,” said Ebipile.
Ebipile further said apart from seeking clarity over the matter, ex miners want the government to address more pertinent issues affecting former miners.
Meanwhile, Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) who welcomed government decision to purchase former BCL houses said they are adamant that former BCL employees should all be given priority to buy the houses at a flexible payment structure.
BMWU President Joseph Tsimako stated that they had always been of the view that the houses should be sold to former miners considering that they have been occupying them for the longest time possible.
“We welcome the decision because we have always pestered government to sell those houses to former miners. We were also skeptical with the pricing of those houses more so that they are quite dilapidated. Our suggestion to government was that they should buy the houses and then resell them to former employees at an affordable pricing,” he said.
Tsimako highlighted that allowing former miners to purchase the houses will improve their economic situation.
“We are hoping to engage government on this issue to understand how these former miners will be assisted because at this moment, details are sketchy. It could have been worse had government allowed anyone else to buy the houses ahead of them because in most cases you find foreigners buying these houses and reselling them at exorbitant prices,” stated Tsimako.
Meanwhile, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane announced that the decision to purchase the houses was made in consideration of the occupants, particularly families with children who are currently preparing for various end of year examinations.
“Two of the former BCL miners have already purchased the houses while others are yet to do so. We have about 999 houses and we will be giving occupants a chance to buy the houses but failure to do so then we will allow other Batswana to buy the houses,” said Tsogwane.
On the other hand, Member of Parliament for Selebi-Phikwe west Dithapelo Keorapetse expressed delight at government’s decision adding that it was long overdue.
“The pressure by former BCL workers, councilors at Selebi-Phikwe Town Council, Botswana Mine Workers Union, the media and myself has worked. Government has bowed to the pressure exerted on it. There will be no evictions from BCL houses as is planned. We now await a written commitment by the government and more details of how this will work out,” stated Keorapetse.
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