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Grieving family decries ill-treatment from BCL mine

BCL Death
 
BCL Death

“The mine initially gave us only P10,000 which is even below the quotation from the mortuary. They even denied us access to see the mine General Manager Daniel Mahupela,” he said.

An irate Thuso said what irked the family the most is the fact that though their brother worked as a casual labourer for over two years, the mine engaged him as a machine man until he died on duty while his contract had expired in December last year. He said they are not sure whether the mine will pay compensation for the loss of their brother’s life. He said they will bury Bohiwemang on Sunday though they are not sure about the cause if his death. The deceased is survived by his siblings, seven-year-old daughter and fiancée.

The family sought audience with BCL management yesterday morning after writing a letter in which they complained about the P15,000 payout. Thuso said Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) has been supportive of their cause. BMWU’s Selebi-Phikwe branch secretary, Moffat Ramokate said they have tasked some union members to join BCL mine team investigating the death.

BCL public relations and communications manager James Molosankwe said the company is not aware that the family has complaints and concerns. “As far as we are concerned, we have given the family support and assistance that the company gives under these circumstances,” he said. He said it would have been good for the family to engage the company rather than going to the media.

“We would appreciate if the bereaved family could engage with us so that we know what their concerns are. I do not think they have been denied access to the GM,” he pointed out. He said the issue can be solved speedily if the family engages with the mine directly. Molosankwe stated that investigations into the accident are still underway with the assistance of an inspector from the Department of Mines.