26 Jun 2018

Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Eric Molale says government pays for the costs of the BCL liquidator in the form of an advance that will be paid back later.

Mr Molale explained in response to a Parliamentary question recently that government took such decision, with the principle objective to protect the interests of the workers by paying for their separation costs through the liquidator.

Subsequently, he said, funds advanced were used for the care and maintenance programme under the liquidation process.

Minister Molale said care and maintenance programme was deemed crucial in order to adequately protect the assets of the mines in preparation for their disposal as part of the liquidation process.

He told Parliament that the liquidator could not be paid from the proceeds of the liquidation as these would only be realised once the estate had been wound up.

He said under normal circumstances, government as a creditor, would not pay for a liquidation process but in this instance the action was that of a responsible government to protect the interests of the Republic and its people.

MP for Lobatse, Advocate Sadique Kebonang had asked the minister whether government wa paying the costs of the BCL liquidator and if so why and if it was not advisable for the liquidator to be paid from his proceeds rather than by one creditor to ensure that the role of the liquidator was not tainted by such payment. ENDS