Financially strapped BCL mine purchased an aircraft worth P18,012,820 on November 3rd 2011- the period when the copper and nickel extract company was still experiencing some dire financial crisis, it emerged in Parliament Monday.
The transaction happened right under the nose of the Government which is a shareholder with Botswana Concessions Limited mine but has no teeth as the control and influence is in the hands of the company’s board of directors.
“It is company’s board of directors which has control and influence (transactions) not Government,” said the Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security Sadique Kebonanag answering a follow up question from Selebi-Phikwe West Member of Parliament Dithapelo Keorapetse.
Keorapetse is puzzled that during the period of the company’s financial struggle management had the knack to spend on what he termed a “flashy and extravagant” aircraft.
The jet according to Kebonang has since been sold prior to the closure and liquidation of the mine, answering another follow up question from Francistown South MP Wynter Mmolotsi.
Kebonang however played down the intervention by Gabane-Mmankgodi MP Pius Mokgware who wanted to know the travel business in particular of the jet as suggested by the Minister.
“As a soldier at the barracks Pius Mokgware travelled on the aircrafts conducting travel businesses for the Botswana Defence Force. He will know better,” was all Kebonang said.
“The aircraft is still in Gaborone,” Sadique concluded.