Keorapetse wants Gov’s written commitment to former BCL employees
Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe West Dithapelo Keorapetse has welcomed the move by government for reconsidering her position regarding evictions of former BCL employees from mine houses.
At least 400 former employees faced eviction on Independence Day, while about 600 were to be evicted by end of November.
“Our considered opinion is that government has finally bowed to pressure after it ignored calls to reconsider its position of evicting people without hearing them first,” said Keorapetse.
He said the pressure by former BCL workers, Councilors, Botswana Mine Workers Union, media and and his submissions in Parliament has worked.
“We await a written commitment by the government and more details of how this will work out. This is a welcome temporary relief,” he said.
The MP said the announcement made by the Vice President Slumber Tsogwane on Wednesday evening doesn’t cancel the pleas by former BCL workers to the government to immediately negotiate with the liquidator on their behalf for a special targeted programme of subsidized purchase of BCL houses including but not limited to rent-to-buy method or for a program with aspects of turn-key and or Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA).
“Or any other social welfare housing schemes to enable them to continue living in these houses and prevent the impending homelessness,” said Keorapetse.
