21 Nov 2024

Locals are the majority buyers of the former BCL Mine houses, with 132 houses sold to Batswana as opposed to six non-citizens.

The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo told Parliament that the price range of different housing units was divided into two categories.

She said category one being houses that were occupied by ex-BCL employees and in good condition while category two were houses that were not occupied, vandalised and not in good condition.

Under category one of occupied houses that are in good condition, she said the average price ranged from P450 000 to P1 720 000, adding that the lower limit represented the average for low cost houses whilst the upper represented high cost units.

She said 35 houses of this category had been sold to BCL ex-employees and the purchase for these 35 houses was P7 403 000.

Minister Kenewendo said 32 of the 35 buyers have paid the full purchase price, adding that 35 buyers were citizens.

She said the average price for category two houses ranged from P200 000 to P2 600 000, and the limits represented the average for low cost houses whilst the upper limit represented Motloutse Training Centre Two.

Minister Kenewendo also said 103 vacant houses were sold under category two, further saying the purchase consideration for the 103 houses was P43 489 000.

“It must be noted that the sales of some of these houses were still to be confirmed by the liquidator. In total, of the 103 houses, 97 of the buyers were citizens and six were non-citizens,” said Minister Kenewendo.

She explained that all the transactions had not reached financial close as certain regulatory approvals remained outstanding.

In addition, she said starting July 2023, the liquidator commenced an auction sale process on institutions from the Government of Botswana to sell all remaining assets of BCL and Tati.

To date, she said a total of six auction sales had been held jointly by Auctioneers Botswana and WH Auctioneers.

Minister Kenewendo said that the auctions were held on site and online and attracted local and international buyers, the majority of the buyers being citizens.

The Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe East, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana had asked the minister to apprise Parliament on progress made so far in the purchase of the former BCL houses

He wanted the minister to state price range of different housing units and the number of those sold to citizens and non-citizens ENDS