BMWU vindicated by Smith sacking

Chakalisa Dube | Wednesday April 19, 2017 15:23

Smith was shown the door last week Wednesday by Sadique Kebonang, the Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security following a decision by the MDCB board. Described by the media as the ‘most invisible hand’ behind the closure of the BCL Mine Group, Smith was sacked after serving slightly over a year into his four-year lucrative contract.

“We have always been against some of the recommendations that were reportedly made by Smith which among others included the closure of Mines under the BCL Group.

 It was clear that the decision to close BCL was his and he undermined the input of the Board and other stakeholders,” BMWU general secretary, Mbiganyi Ramokate said.

He added, “In our petition to President Ian Khama last year, we urged the Government to let Smith go but no action was taken. We now feel that we have been vindicated because we have always maintained that Smith must go”.

 The BMWU and a host of other stakeholders were very critical of the decision to close mines under the BCL Group.

Kebonang said that the sacking of Smith was precipitated by complaints from the MDCB board members who said that they could not effectively work with him.

In February this year, Regina Sikalesele-Vaka ditched her position as the MDCB chairperson. Her poor working relationship with Smith was cited among the reasons she quit the position.   Smith who is a South African national is said to have enjoyed close ties with President Khama. Khama allegedly prevailed against the MDCB board, BCL management and some members of the cabinet who were opposed to the closure of the mines.   Ramokate urged the Government to ditch its ‘bad’ attitude against trade unions.

“We are not enemies to the Government. Trade Unions are vital partners in the development of the country. Our views as the BMWU is that if the Government considers our advice and that of other Unions some situations like the closure of the BCL could be prevented while it is still early,” he said.