Keorapetse pleads for Masisi’s intervention in BCL houses auction

Leader of Opposition, Dithapelo Keorapetse has pleaded with President Mokgweetsi Masisi to come to the rescue of former BCL employees in the BCL housing auction.

The liquidators of BCL have issued a notice that they will be selling through auction some of the assets including houses.

In the just-ended Parliament session, Parliament rejected a motion by Keorapetse which called for special dispensation for the former employees to buy the houses.

Keorapetse had in the past revealed that he had written a letter to Office of the President appealing for immediate intervention on the sale of BCL houses by the Liquidators, specifically that the office negotiates with the Liquidators to ensure that there is a special social welfare housing scheme to enable ex-BCL employees to purchase the properties at nominal rates.

He then tabled an urgent motion to ask Parliament to request government to formulate a special social welfare housing scheme for former BCL employees to enable them to buy the properties at subsidised prices.

The motion read:

'This House requests Government to immediately negotiate with the liquidator on behalf of former BCL employees for a special targeted programme of subsidised purchase of BCL Houses including but not limited to rent-to-buy method or for a program with aspects of turn-key and or Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) or any other social welfare housing schemes to enable them to continue living in these houses and to prevent impending

homelessness.'

The motion was rejected by the ruling party majority MPs.

Last week Keorapetse wrote a letter to the president which he said together with the motion tabled in Parliament emanated from a public meeting of former BCL employees and their families on 15th June 2023 at Phikwe Primary School.

“Therefore, the rejection of both the motion by the ruling party in Parliament and your non-response to the letter are substantive negations of Selebi Phikwe residents' wishes, particularly ex-BCL employees.

“Please note that end of September marks the deadline for continued occupation of BCL houses by anyone who has not indicated and accordingly proven their intention and ability to buy the property,” Keorapetse pleaded in the letter. The leader of opposition who is also MP for Selibe Phikwe indicated that occupants of the properties are to vacate the houses in September if they fail to buy.

“On Thursday 15th June 2023 I convened a public meeting of former BCL workers. This was after meeting Selebi Phikwe West residents at the Kagiso Kgotla and following interactions with some at their homes and meetings with the Phikwe Umbrella Ward Development Committee, Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) and other local groups.

“At the said public meeting, former BCL workers were unequivocal that I write to your good office as their representative to express their desire to be met and addressed by Your Excellency in a public forum,” Keorapetse said.

He told Parliament that at the meeting, it was clear to them that the offer made by the Liquidator is prohibitively exorbitant for former BCL employees.

Former BCL workers have been domiciled in these houses prior to the collapse of the mine as a benefit extended by the employer and post liquidation with government supporting their continued occupation of the same, he said.

Asked about the letter this week, Keorapetse confirmed writing to the President on the matter. He explained that the hope of the affected former employees now lies on the mercy of the president.

He pointed out that he has to give feedback soon to the former employees and residents of Selibe-Phikwe and he is hopeful that the president will revert to him with a positive answer. He said the office promised to revert to him promptly.