Ex-mine employees haunted by unpaid loans
Onalenna Kelebeile | Tuesday January 24, 2017 18:00
Concerned former employees highlighted this during a meeting that was addressed by the Member of Parliament for Selebi-Phikwe West Dithapelo Keorapetse. One of the employees said the bank demanded a share of the little package he got from the Mine to prevent interest charges.
“I was told that despite the fact that I do not have any source of income at the moment I must continue to service the loan failure of which deputy sheriffs would be engaged to recover the money from me. We cannot commit ourselves that we can service the loans effectively without any income,” he said.
The Mine’s former employees want President Ian Khama to come and directly address them on how Government can fail to pay them retrenchment packages after they laboured for so many years. They said they are facing harsh situations now, despite promises by Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi that his Government would ensure that there would be soft landing.
“The situation we are in now is a blessing in disguise and it is a wake-up call that we must change the country’s leadership because we have been fed with lies for too long. This government was voted by us into power and we expect them to address our situations,” an irate former miner charged.
MP Keorapetse said he will submit questions without notice to the next Parliament to demand answers as to why Government reneged on its initial decision to pay the employees for 16-18 months after retrenchment. They were also promised payment of utility bills, closure of the mine hospital and P11 million pledge on school fees.
He said it is currently difficult for ex-workers to plan for their lives because of these promises that have not been honoured. He also expressed concern that though there are some employees engaged on care and maintenance at the Mine, there is no Mines, Quarries, Works and Machinery Act’s 6.1 appointee, which is against the law.
He said the appointee is crucial because those engaged are also at risk of injuries. He also said Government failed to conduct preliminary socio-economic assessment to see how the liquidation has affected the town. Keorapetse was also surprised that Government could not pay retrenchment packages of only P700 million, but could afford P16 billion for military weapons. “This amounts to cruelty on the part of Government.
“I still believe that the Mine can reopen and reinstate its employees if Government could adopt the mine management’s four-dollar-per-pound policy. I still need valid reasons why the Mine was closed,” he said.