28 Jun 2018

Assistant minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Machana Shamukuni says former president, Lt General Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama was unable to attend to a request for a meeting with Selebi Phikwe West residents on account of his busy schedule.

Responding to a question in Parliament, Mr Shamukuni said the former president delegated either the Vice President or a minister to attend on his behalf, depending on the magnitude of the subject matter.

In the case of Selebi Philkwe and BCL mine closure, Mr Shamukuni said the then vice president, accompanied by ministers was assigned to consult Selebi Phikwe residents and former employees of the mine. 

He said the outcome of the consultative meeting was the Revitalisation Plan for Selebi Phikwe town which was currently being implemented, adding that the inclusion of a discussion of the Implementation of the plan as a standing agenda item of the Cabinet was but one of the many ways of ensuring that revitalisation of Selebi Phikwe was realised.

He however said that the sitting President, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi, however, visited Selebi Phikwe when he was Vice President saying  a formal communication to relevant stakeholders would be made should an opportunity for such a visit arise.

MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the minister if he was aware that the former president never acceded to repeated requests by the Selebi Phikwe West residents to visit their area to brief them on the state of the town and its people since the BCL mine closure.

Mr Keorapetse also asked if there were any plans by President Masisi to visit Selebi Phikwe West for the aforementioned purposes. ENDS