Mine defends its right to protect
KIMBERLEY Ekapa Mining Joint Venture (KEM-JV) has defended its rights to safeguard its personnel and property against attacks and the illegal re-invasion of land, following the alleged shooting of an eightyear-old boy with a rubber bullet by mine security in Diamond Park near Greenpoint on Wednesday.
Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Dimakatso Mooi, said yesterday that the police were investigating a case of attempted murder in connection with the alleged incident.
This will be the fourth case of attempted murder under investigation by the police, after two community members were allegedly shot with rubber bullets while a petrol bomb was allegedly thrown at another member of the public in Greenpoint on Tuesday.
Spokesperson for KEM-JV, Gert Klopper, stated that over the course of the last week mine security were the victims of “a number of acts of violence” by a small group of illegal miners in the Greenpoint area.
“This is being done in an attempt to re-invade land from which they were recently evicted from in April. “The attacks on mine security has involved both adults and children throwing stones at security personnel and vehicles, as well as the shooting of personnel with catapults and bow and arrows.
“Caution is specifically being taken not to retaliate against these children.”
Klopper indicated that they were still awaiting confirmation of the cause of the injury suffered by the eightyear-old child.
“KEM-JV wishes to confirm that a confrontation involving both adults and children took place between Greenpoint illegal miners and mine security on Wednesday. This incident is currently being fully investigated internally on a high level. This includes the taking of statements from the mine security personnel and a review of all evidence.
“In addition, an investigation regarding this incident, in collaboration with relevant authorities, is also ongoing.
“We trust that the Greenpoint illegal miners will take the necessary steps to prevent a re-occurrence of incidents of this kind.”
Klopper added that consultations with authorities in an attempt to address this problem had not produced any effective solutions.
“It is particularly concerning and alarming that children are being involved in these attacks. The mine engaged with local authorities over the past weeks to highlight concerns and risks surrounding this issue and to request support.”
He pointed out that the Greenpoint illegal miners needed to be distinguished from the artisanal miners with whom KEM-JV has successfully reached a settlement in relation to territories and resources in the northern and eastern parts of Kimberley.
“The recent confrontations relate to the Greenpoint illegal miners demanding a similar dispensation as the artisanal miners.
“The Greenpoint illegal miners insist on mining on tailing mineral resources adjacent to their community, and indicated that they do not wish to become part of the artisanal miners grouping.”
Klopper added that a multi-stakeholder process was under way to facilitate the letting and transfer of land and the awarding of mining permits to a formalised structure of Greenpoint occupants in relation to KEM-JV property.
“Disappointingly, however, this process has been delayed by factors beyond KEM-JV’s control. The Greenpoint illegal miners have therefore resorted to violence against mine security.
“The associated illegal behaviour being exhibited by the Greenpoint group, with the hope of forcing such an agreement, can however not be condoned and we reserve the right to take necessary action to protect our personnel and property against attacks and illegal re-invasion of land.”