Kgoshi accepted
The traditional leader who negotiated a controversial R175-million settlement agreement with the Anglo Platinum mine in Mokopane, Limpopo, has substantial business links with the mine.
The agreement, i ntended by AngloPlats as a full and final settlement of “a number of legacy issues”, was signed on March 1 this year by the company and Kgoshi (Chief) Kgabagare Langa, representing the Mapela community.
But community members, organised by the Mapela executive committee, have rejected the agreement, claiming that he did not consult them and they know nothing about it. He insists he did consult them. An amaBhungane investigation has revealed that Langa and his wife own two companies that do work for the mine worth a combined R183million a year.
Langa confirmed that he has a stake in a company that, according to AngloPlats, did work worth R33million for the Mokgalakwena mine in the year to April 2016.
His wife, Dinah Raesetja Langa, has an interest in an ore-transporting operation that did work valued at more than R150-million for Mokgalakwena last year.
Online records suggest she is married in community of property, which, if correct, would give her husband a direct interest in her business.
Asked whether there was a conflict of interest because of this when he negotiated the settlement, Langa said: “In the protection of community interests, I secure the services of advisers who guide the community.
“This assists in managing any pos- of the negotiations with the private investor said the deal was on the verge of being signed when the minister addressed the NUM’s central committee.
“One investor withdrew on Friday sible conflict of interest that may arise.”
Langa confirmed that he has a 14% share in JCB Barokatshipi Tse Kgolo, which provides welding services on heavy-duty equipment for Mokgalakwena.
He is also listed as a director of Barokatshipi, which was registered in 2004.
AmaBhungane was unable to establish how much the company paid him last year. Barokatshipi’s Sean Holtz refused to answer questions on the phone and did not respond to emailed queries.
Langa said he had become a director of Barokatshipi before acceding to the Mapela chieftainship.
Also at issue is the chief’s indirect link to the Pamaplim Joint Venture, which has been transporting crushed ore for the Mokgalakwena mine since 2011, and last year had a R153-million contract with the mine.
AngloPlats revealed that a firm called Planet Waves 388 has a 15% stake in Pamaplim. According to the company register, Dinah Raesetja Langa is the sole director of Planet Waves.
In an interview last week, she confirmed that she is married to the chief. AmaBhungane has also established that Planet Waves is registered to the address of a property that Dinah and the chief co-own, erf number 312, Paradiso, in Pretoria.
The Pamaplim chief executive, David Sephehlo Langa, confirmed that Planet Waves 388 is a minority shareholder and that Pamaplim paid a dividend last year. He did respond when asked how much was paid.
The R175-million settlement agreement provides for a trust to oversee the use of the money and an investment company.
But residents complain that Langa and traditional authorities, whom