Residents block trucks at quarry mine
SITEKI – Close to 200 Ntandweni residents yesterday blocked Inyatsi Construction Company trucks from entering and exiting the quarry mine situated nearby the King Mswati III International (KMIII)Airport.
The residents started to convene by the mine’s entrance as early as 7am.
As reported by this publication yesterday, the residents started to assemble by the mine’s entrance and blocked trucks that wanted to enter the mine for work.
Compensation
The mine’s workers called the police, who were deployed to ensure that the trucks and property were not vandalised by the residents who are among other things, seeking compensation from government for their houses which they claimed had cracks due to the blasting happening at the mine.
Yesterday, it was the third time the residents were embarking in this action after doing so two months ago.
According to the protest march organiser, Sithembiso Dludlu, they had followed all the protocols in staging their picketing by reporting it to the Lubombo Regional Police Commander, Charles Magagula.
Dludlu said it was a peaceful protest march and had warned residents against burning of tyres and vandalism of property.
He said they only did not allow operations to take place at the mine until their demands were met.
The construction of the airport and the road projects started in 2003 and were managed by Millenium Projects, which is under the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development.
A number of communities close to the airport and mine were affected by the blasting that took place as a number of houses developed cracks.
The residents also claimed two dams were destroyed when the mine carried out work.
“We want to be compensated and that is what we are asking from government and the company. We will not allow work to go on until our grievances are addressed. We have waited for too long yet there was a budget that was set aside to cover those costs,” he claimed.
Meeting
Dvokodvweni Member of Parliament (MP) Mduduzi Magagula said an urgent meeting had been set for Friday morning next to the airport with the residents.
“Today, we will be meeting the residents with officers from Millenium Projects and the ministry in charge of the projects. Friday, we will be meeting them as they will be getting answers on their demands,” he said.
Magagula said the meeting with the residents was long overdue.
“Their protesting is justified because they have been patient for too long,” said the MP.