05 Jun 2016

Hundreds of mourners thronged Kgagodi and Radisele over the weekend to bid farewell to their friends, relatives and colleagues, Messrs Botsanang Maphane and Mmoniemang Tlase.

The duo were among the four men who died in a BCL Mine accident on May 29 when a rope of a General Man Transport (GMT) snapped while transporting workers

Ten miners were involved in the accident: Four died and six sustained injuries.

Speaking at the funeral service in Kgagodi, Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi said government took the safety of workers at heart hence an independent investigation company had been appointed to conduct investigations of the incident.

He said after completion of the investigations, government would use the recommendations to determine what should be done by the mine and the government to prevent similar occurrences in future.

Mr Kgathi further said BCL mine had been incurring serious financial constraints as a result of poor trading conditions caused by depressed commodity prices.

He said the government would never allow the mine to close down, hence a decision was taken to prevent job losses at BCL which might in turn affect the economy of Selibe Phikwe.

He said Parliament authorized the issuance of a government guarantee for a US$100m loan to be given to BCL by Absa bank. He also said it was not time to point fingers at each other but to console the family of the deceased.

For his part BCL representative, Mr Mosienyane Mosienyane said Maphane’s tragic passing was a heartfelt loss not only to his family but to BCL as well.

He said the mine appreciated the move by the government to engage an independent audit to investigate the current incident and conduct an inspection across the mine as this would help prevent similar incidents in BCL operations and reclaim BCL known good safety record.

He said BCL had been working towards achieving five million fatality free shifts before May 2014 fatal incident, after achieving four million fatality free shifts.

He said that did not mean that BCL neglected safety, as there was a continuous training of employees and encouragement for employees to do risk assessments each time they start work and to follow safe working procedures.

In addition, Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila sent a message of condolences which was read by the deputy district commissioner of Selibe Phikwe, Mr Orapeleng Modimoopelo.

Mr Mokaila stated that he was saddened to learn of the tragic death of four BCL employees on Sunday night of May 29. He said his ministry subscribed to the value of “zero harm” adding ‘our resolve is to have no deaths in the ministry industry as one death is one too many’.

He said, “When one is ailing and eventually dies, the pain is not as deep rooted as that which is felt by a relative of the deceased who dies in a tragic accident.”

He said it was not time to point fingers but to pay tribute to the fallen heroes who died in their service to the nation.

“The Maphane family is not the only ones who lost the beloved but BCL and the nation at large have suffered a loss as these men served a great part in developing this country through their employ at BCL Limited,” he stated.

Maphane joined BCL as a workman in 1990 under the Ore Production Division at South East Extension Shaft, having served the mine for a period of 26 years.

Born in 1971 in Mahalapye, Maphane was described as a hard-working, reliable, punctual, energetic employee who showed a great attitude towards his job and was promoted to the post of cage tender in 1996, the post he was still holding at the time of his untimely death.

Meanwhile at Radisele, Mr Tlase was described by speakers as a kind, respectable and loving man whose life was anchored on the Christian foundations.

Ms Kgoberego Gabaake, neighbour to the deceased said that Mr Tlase was a committed member of Zion Christian Church where he drew his discipline.

“We never had any conflicts and I appeal to his children to emulate this respectable man,” said Ms Gabaake.

Mr Tlase, born September 6, 1958 is survived by his wife, five children and two grandchildren.

A representative from BCL, Mr Otsile Sibanda described Mr Tlase as a diligent and ever punctual servant whose commitment saw him being promoted to the position of winch operator, a position he died whilst occupying at South East Extension, the deepest shaft at 1500m underground. 

He was deployed to the shaft in 2005, said Mr Sibanda.

Mr Sibanda said that the mine staff, management and board have been deeply saddened and shocked by the passing away of the four miners.

Consequently, Mr Sibanda appealed for calm and called on miners who had information regarding the accident to come forward to relevant authorities.  

He however, informed the bereaved family and those offering condolences to the family that the mine was carrying out internal investigations.

Also, the inspector of mines has started investigations since May 30 whilst government has engaged independent investigators to audit safety at the embattled mine.

Though, Mr Sibanda claimed that the case was the first of its kind in 40 years, Botswana Mine Workers Union representative, Mr Jack Tlagale argued that there was another accident that claimed the lives of other miners. 

The BMWU expressed sadness and disappointment at the untimely death of the miners.

Mr Tlagale appealed that the mine must prioritise safety and also called for the intervention of government in ensuring that rightful candidates man up the mine’s top positions.

He argued that had the right action been taken in advance, possibilities of averting the accidents could have been non-existent. As such, he called for respect of the law before detailing the processes they followed in lodging their complaints pertaining to the mine’s safety and lack thereof.

“I am aware that death is a sensitive occurrence and hence we are not going to stir tempers by dwelling on sensationalism,” said Mr Tlagale.  ENDS