Kelebogile Taolo — Government will be in a position to compensate former BCL Mine workers once the ongoing liquidation process is officially concluded, Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Mr Moeti Mohwasa has said.

Addressing Francistown City and North East District council leadership in a joint meeting on Thursday in Francistown he said government's hands were currently tied by legal complexities of the liquidation.

The Minister acknowledged that several commitments made to employees following the mine's closure in October 2016 remain unfulfilled.

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He was specifically citing the promised 18 month payment and other outstanding benefits.

Mr Mohwasa, however, clarified that government would not be providing compensation in the exact form of the original 18-month soft landing agreement.

He assured stakeholders that the matter was being treated with due diligence and that a resolution was being sought for the affected workers.

On housing, the minister further noted that former Tati Nickel mine houses had been sold to Botswana Defence Force.

He said there were currently no mine-owned residential properties available in Francistown.

Commenting on the update, the two councils appreciated the minister's visit to address them on the matter, adding that the liquidation process had taken too long and was frustrating.

They urged the government to expedite the liquidation process. and pointed out that the liquidation proceedings were draining state resources, costing government more money that could be better utilised to provide critical support to former employees affected by the mine closure.

BCL Mine, a state-owned enterprise, ceased operations in October 2016 after government placed it under provisional liquidation due to losses.

BOPA