17 Oct 2016

The opposition parties have been slammed for inciting and playing with the feeling of BCL mine workers rather than coming up with durable, amendable strategies and solution to the crisis facing the mine.
The call was made by Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Member of Parliament for Mahalapye East Ms Botlogile Tshireletso during Bobonong constituency MP victory celebration on October 15 that opposition parties “celebrate the closure of the mine” rather than provide a helping hand.
Ms    Tshireletso said the closure of the  mine followed poor performance due to commodity prices in the global market  which would not only affect the Selibe Phikwe town and surrounding areas but the whole country as workers were coming all over the country.
Ms Tshireletso said the opposition are using that as an opportunity to start recruitment drive although in the past they themselves have not cared for BCL mine workers and as such warned workers and Selibe Phikwe residents to be on alert about those seeking moment to play with their feelings.
“Opposition had long neglected Selibe Phikwe town, and now they want to hijack the whole process to be seen sympathetic to workers,” she said.
Ms Tshireletso  described the mine’s closure as a national concern and that though,  the operations have been stopped workers would be paid up until the whole process of liquidation has been completed which was expected to take between 12 to 18 months.
She said the position of government was to look at other strategies to ensure that Selibe Phikwe does not become a ghost town and was hopeful that such would succeed.
Concerning Mr Kgathi he described him as committed MP who execute his parliamentary duties well and mentioned that through his leadership developments in the area were visible such as the electrification of all villages except for one Lentswelemoriti, internal and linking roads, Platjan Border Post and many other that have changed the lives of people in the area.
Another BDP activist Mr Lotty Manyepetsa accused opposition parties led by Umbrella for Democratic Change and Botswana Congress Party of failing to come up with alternative ways of handling the BCL situation.
Mr Manyepetsa described opposition as a hopeless lot that praise and promote problems rather than suggesting strategies.
He said BDP was the only hope to the nation saying over the years it has brought developments in many sectors and mentioned the health and education sector which is free.
Mr Manyepetsa hailed the peace and democracy in the country as something that has to be protected by shunning opposition parties.
Mr Slumber Tsogwane MP for Boteti West told BDP members and voters at large that by voting Mr Kgathi they chose government and development.
Mr Tsogwane said BDP rule should be celebrated because it respects the rule of law and democracy.
For his part Mr Kgathi thanked voters in the Bobonong constituency for choosing him over opposition candidates in 2014.
He praised his party for bringing development in the constituency and around the country for the past 50 years.
Mr Kgathi said as an MP he would continue to represent them with respect and dignity.
The party at the rally also awarded medals to deserving party veterans. ENDS