Phikwe hit by manic depression and suicide tendencies
The anguish and pain continues to rise in the mining town of Selibe Phikwe as former BCL mineworkers are now suffering from depression.
The former employees who were shown the door after a provisional liquidator took over the operation of the mine are said to have now resorted to binge drinking while others are displaying suicidal behavior.
Information reaching this publication is that since the closure of BCL mine and its subsidiary Tati Nickel Mining Company (TNMC), some of the employees have been admitted either at Nyangabwe Hospital or Government Hospital in Selibe Phikwe with symptoms of depression.
A Psychologist at Nyangabwe Hospital in Francistown has revealed that some of the TNMC former employees she has dealt with are traumatised because of the way the news of the mine closure was conveyed to them. The psychologist who did not want to be named stated that the employees were not prepared for the news and “so there was no proper planning for life after TNMC. It also emerged from the conversations I had with a few of them there still exists no form of counselling in the aftermath of what they have gone through,” she revealed.Some reported suicide cases in the two towns have not been directly linked to the job losses but the Psychologist could not rule out the possibility of some having committed suicide or engaging in excessive drinking because of their ordeal. Things are said to have changed for the worst when the employees learnt that they would only be paid salaries for the month of October 2016 contrary to what was earlier communicated by Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi and Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Advocate Sadique Kebonang.
The duo had indicated that the close to 6000 employees would be paid for a period of 16 to 18 months. Masisi also indicated during a press conference of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) where he is chairman, that funds have been secured for mitigation at the BCL mine. Recently, a local radio station YaronaFM reported that the situation was getting worse in Selibe Phikwe as the employees spent their working days engaging in excessive drinking. It was further reported that the employees said this was their way of relieving stress that came about as a result of the BCL mine closure. At press time Nyangabwe Hospital had not responded to a questionnaire sent on reported suicide cases while Selibe Phikwe Government Hospital officials indicated that the Public Relations Officer who is supposed to respond to the questionnaire was on leave. Botswana Mine Workers Union President Jack Tlhagale said they had no information on the suicide incidences but added that they were not surprised by such reports. Tlhagale said when the mines were closed, there was no consideration of the impact that the closure would have on the miners. He also confirmed that there is and has been no counselling.
“On Monday we wrote a letter to the President requesting a meeting regarding the closure and its impact on employees, their families, the town and businesses here as a whole. We believe things should not only be left to the liquidator but government to some extent should intervene. We hope the president would grant us audience,” said the union leader. Selebi Phikwe police station commander, Superintendent Victor Nlebesi said while he was aware of a Friday suicide case involving a former BCL employee, he could not ascertain any link to the issue of the mine’s sudden closure. He could neither confirm that the increased presence of former mine workers at beer drinking spots was directly linked to the closure of the mine. “The suicide incident happened on Friday, but what we gather from the investigations is that the deceased was ill. Even though he did not leave a suicide note, his family suspect that rather, the suicide could have been triggered by the illness,” Nlebesi said.