Dead end in mining town takes new turn
THE ongoing standoff in a Limpopo mining community will be referred to the appropriate office in the justice system following a plea by a political leader who was detained during rioting last week.
Yesterday EFF provincial leader Jossey Buthane asked the Mokerong Magistrate ’ s Court to assist residents of Mapela, Sekuruwe and Ga-Molekane by ordering mining firm Anglo American Platinum “to meet with the people in that area”.
Buthane appeared before the court on charges of inciting public violence yesterday. He and his co-accused - Frans Molomo, Nancy Kgomo and Lesiba Mabusela were all released on free bail.
The four were arrested last Friday during a heated confrontation between police and the community amid violent protests in the area.
Kgomo, who is pregnant, could not attend court because of her injuries after she was shot by police during a heated standoff between police and the community on Friday.
After magistrate H Botha announced that all four would be released on free bail, Buthane raised his hand and asked to address the court.
He explained that people from villages including Mapela, Ga-Molekane and Sekuruwe had been frequenting the courts due to an ongoing disagreement with Anglo American Platinum.
Botha responded by saying that her court did not have the power to give a spontaneous order.
Botha, however, said she would refer the matter to the suitable office in the justice system to decide on Buthane’s request.
Residents of the villages near Anglo American’s Mogalakwena platinum mine near Mokopane town have - been protesting over the alleged non- compliance of the mining company. The skirmishes have resulted in the destruction of property and the arrest of 44 people.
They have accused the company of failing to develop the area and of not hiring more local people, among other things.
Buthane also accused the government and Minister of Mineral Resources Ngoako Ramatlhodi of turning a blind eye to the plight of communities in mining towns.
“They have called Ngoako Ramatlhodi, the minister of energy and minerals.
“He has not been able to answer the - questions of these people because he benefits from these mines,” charged Buthane outside court.
“This problem started when he was a premier. He continued to be useless.
“Even in Tubatse he told the people that he does not go around carrying employment in his pockets. ”
Buthane’s scathing attack on the minister comes after a wave of violent protests swept through Phalaborwa and Burgersfort.
Last month Ramatlhodi visited the Burgersfort community in a bid to quell weeks of protests in that area.
The protests had halted production at surrounding mines.
Yesterday Anglo American Platinum spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole said they had been “diligently engaging” with the community and other stakeholders.
“Anglo American Platinum encourages engagement with all key stakeholders in and around its operations in order to clearly understand the concerns so that mine management and the community leadership structures can work jointly on solutions,” Sithole said.
The department of mineral resources media liaison Phuthi Mabelebele said they would issue a statement this morning as they were locked in meetings with Ramatlhodi yesterday.
“He told people he
does not carry employment in his
pockets