06 Jun 2016

 Multitudes of mourners on Sunday bid farewell to Mr Gaseitsiwe Selelo, 59, one of the BCL mine workers who lost his life in a tragic accident at the mine.

The accident happened on May 29 and involved 10 employees and Mr Selelo was one of the four mine workers who passed on. Six workers survived with injuries.

Different speakers described the late Selelo as a quiet, hardworking and loving person. They said he was a responsible person who was committed to his family.

His sister Ms Gabaikanngwe Kaelo said  Mr Selelo did not like to have conflicts with those who were around him. She said one of the good things about Selelo was that he listened to advice from people. She said his passing was a loss for the entire family.

The Minister of Health Ms Dorcas Makgato said Selelo’s tragic passing away is a heartfelt loss not only to his family but to the country as well.

Ms Makgato who is also a Member of Parliament for Sefhare/Ramokgonami constituency said government was shocked and saddened by the incident and other mine accidents and took a decision to engage private investigations into the matter.

The vice president of Botswana Congress Party (BCP) Mr Kesitegile Gobotswang said that Mr Selelo was a disciplined and dedicated member of BCP who was always actively involved in the party matters.

He said Selelo took part in the formation of BCP in 1998 and was one of the party choir members.

Mr Mack William who was speaking on behalf of BCL mine management said Selelo was a smart and hardworking individual with good work ethics, encouraging others and also with good interpersonal relations. He said he was a team player who recognized other team members’ efforts.

He said there was no doubt that his passing was a loss for the entire Selelo family, Seleka village being his home and for Selebi Phikwe where he was residing.

He also described Selelo as a well-respected leader who was always able to motivate his colleagues and striving to form a great team with work interests at heart.

Despite his age being elderly, he said, Mr Selelo related well with his workmates and supervisors often younger than him, showing respect to all. He said he was highly respected by senior mine officials because of his good attitude towards work.

Selelo joined BCL as a workman on 8th March 1980 under the Ore Production Division (Mining) at South East Extension Shaft as Workman. In June 1980, Selelo was promoted to the position of machineman.

The department of mines issued Selelo with Botswana underground blasting license in November 1984, to permit him to supervise drilling and blasting activities underground.

Mr William said due to his hard work, knowledge and skills, he was again trained and promoted to be a supervisor in November 1984. In 2015 BCL management appointed Selelo to become safety health and environmental inspector the position he was holding at the time of hideath.

He said as required by legislation, BCL conducts its internal enquiry as well as one by the Inspector of Mines after such an incident. He said the investigations are currently on-going, since May 30 with the first underground visit by the Inspector of Mines.

He said that a report will be prepared by the Inspector of Mines with findings and recommendations. ENDS