10 May 2016

The decline in metal prices around the world is said to be affecting the BCL mine hence government decision of approving US$100 million loan facility to help the mine survive.
Mr Shaw Kgathi who is the Member of Parliament for Bobonong said during a constituency leadership meeting on May 6 that government through Parliament ensured that funds were obtained through Barclays and Absa banks to sustain the mine operations.
The MP said government had also expressed some concerns on the running of the mine and advised management to introspect as part of the decline may be due to some maladministration.
He said given the financial circumstances the mine was facing, retrenchments were inevitable. Mr Kgathi however pleaded with those who attended the meeting that the decision to retrench should not be politicised but be left to the company to decide which workers were to be laid off.
He stated that as politicians they should be cautious when dealing with the issue of BCL also stating that issues relating to retrenchments and restructuring must be the prerogative of the administration not politicians.
Mr Kgathi who is also the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security was responding to a question ffrom councillor for Dandane/Mabeleng Mr Keoagile Ramatlotlo who wanted the minister to brief them about the state of affairs of the mine.
Mr Ramatlotlo was concerned about reports indicating that the mine was not doing well and as such feared that many would lose jobs.
Besides the BCL issue the MP also informed the leadership that he was concerned about the delay of the tender regarding construction of the Platjan Border Post Bridge which he said had been challenged for the fourth time by some contractors who sensed elements of corruption.
He said cabinet has taken a deliberate decision that the project be transferred from the Department of Roads, the bridges division to SPEDU to speed up the tendering and construction process.
Mr Kgathi noted that the bridge should have started the same time with the Ramotswa border bridge which had since been completed.
Another issue of concern was the collapse of the Talana Farm which he said was capable of producing vegetables in large quantities for the country.
Talana Farms’ collapse caused a lot of job losses of over 300 workers and many have not been paid their outstanding salaries to date, he said.
The farm he said created employment for many people and was the only farm with the ability to close the border for agricultural imports from neighbouring countries for up to six months thus also protecting small producers from outside competition. ENDS