Lonmin woes continue as community disrupts work
Protest action results in closure of two mineshafts
The once strong “marriage” between Lonmin and Bapo-baMogale traditional council, which at times caused tensions between the community and their traditional chief, is on the rocks.
The current wave of violence by the disgruntled community of Bapong, a rural settlement near Brits in North West, has exposed a deep-seated conflict between the company and its former ally, the chief.
In 2014, the two entered into a R664-million equity deal that was aimed at empowering the community. Some members of the community had reservations about the deal, arguing lack of transparency. The matter even went to the North Gauteng High Court where the council and Lonmin defended it.
Bapo-ba-Mogale Investment’s CEO Lehlohonolo Nthontho, who handles council business affairs with Lonmin, said the community had decided to protest after they had learnt that Lonmin was allegedly using contractors who were not hiring local people.
Nthontho argued that the equity deal stipulated that Lonmin and its contractors would give priority to locals for employment and tenders.
“Lonmin is not monitoring who their contractors employ and people have every right to be angry. Our relationship with them deteriorated soon after the deal was signed. Their interest was just to tick the box for compliance,” Nthontho said .
Lonmin spokeswoman Wendy Tlou said the company had applied for a court interdict to end the protest which had resulted in two shafts near Marikana being closed for two days last week.
“Some of our workers have not been feeling safe to go to work. The shafts are operational but not at full capacity as the roads are still blocked,” she said.
Tlou added that a group calling themselves Unemployed Youth of Bapo-ba-Mogale and Greater Lonmin handed them a list of demands on April 10 which were followed by a meeting on April 24.
“The meeting became unruly and they walked away without any resolutions,” said Tlou.
She conceded the relationship with the traditional council had challenges like in any business partnership.