Tati appeals to FCC to curb crime

PATRICIA MAGANU
Staff Writer | Friday March 5, 2010 00:00

A section of the road between Francistown and the mine, which lies approximately 45 kilometres east of the city at the village of Matsiloje, was singled out as being particularly dangerous. 

Addressing a full council meeting held at the civic centre here on Wednesday, Sebetela said the crime rate in Francistown was alarming.

'When they (TNMC employees) are at the mine, we make sure their safety is a priority,' he said.   'Because we know that they have to go and come back safely, as soon as we pick them up to go to work, security measures begin.'

Sebetela said at different times, their employees often came to work distressed because they had fallen victim to criminals.

'Our employees are among you,' he said. 'They are your children, they are your neighbours and your families.

'Several times our employees cannot come to work, come late or are stressed because they were robbed or their houses broken into. When they come in that state, they could easily injure themselves and others.'

If other key stakeholders like FCC did not help curb crime around the city, TNMC's efforts were undermined, he added.

'The road is not well cared for as grass grows on its sides, attracting donkeys, cattle and goats to wander onto the road and putting our employees at risk of accidents,' Sebetela said, adding that the mine had experienced 15 such cases last year.