PROTEST AS COVID CASES SURGE

NOW THE NUMBER OF CASES IS INCREASING BUT THE RESTRICTIONS ARE BEING EASED. IS THIS WISE?

COMMUNITY members of the Tsantsabane Local Municipality in Postmasburg are living in fear after the number of positive Covid19 cases in the area jumped from four to over 40 almost overnight.

It is believed that 43 miners from Lomoteng Mine, near Maremane township, tested positive during a pre-work testing session on Wednesday, June 10.

The results were reportedly released on Friday, June 12, resulting in the closure of the mine by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) on the weekend.

According to reports, however, the mine has disputed the results and the workers have been retested. The results of the most recent tests are still being awaited.

A source revealed that the tests were sent to three different institutions for verification.

According to the source, two different sets of results came back from two of the institutions, which includes the Department of Health.

“The outstanding test results from the third laboratory are now being awaited,” the source stated.

The mine is set to issue a statement after the latest results are received.

Community members have meanwhile threatened to shut down all mines in the area if the DMRE does not do so by today.

This follows a community meeting with different stakeholders, which resulted in a protest, where the R325 road leading to the mine was barricaded with burning tyres. Community members have demanded that Tsantsabane mayor Mpho Mashila write to DMRE to close all mines in the area.

Members of the community said yesterday that they believed they were being sidelined in the decision-making processes and that the mining companies did as they pleased.

Neighbouring mines later sent out memorandums to their workers urging them to act responsibly by reporting, and not going to work, if they have had any form of contact with employees from Lomoteng Mine.

“The Department of Minerals and Energy has informed all mines in the area that Lomoteng Mine, in the ZFM District, tested all their employees last week and subsequently 43 individuals have tested positive for Covid-19,” a memorandum sent to employees of Komoleng Mine stated.

The community’s eyebrows were raised last week after three PMG employees tested positive for Covid-19.

The community has since called for a shutdown of the mine and have urged the provincial Department of Health to conduct mass testing in Maremane township.

It has been alleged that many of the employees of the six mines around Maremane township are from other provinces and have brought the virus into the community with them.

The Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macau) movement said yesterday that the owners of the mines surrounding Maremane were putting the lives of community members in danger.

Macau provincial co-ordinator Boitumelo Pshetlho accused the mines of not following regulations. The organisation has drafted a petition which they intend to submit to the DMRE.

“The only thing they are interested in is profit,” Pshetlho stated.

EFF provincial spokesperson Obakeng Lechuti has also expressed the party’s disappointment regarding what he called the provincial government’s recklessness in allowing the mines to reopen.

Lechuti said the party had written to the ANC at the beginning of lockdown, opposing the reopening of the mines, but their concerns were ignored.

“The Northern Cape provincial government has risked the lives of the community despite our warnings. We were concerned that this virus would spread as the workers came from other provinces,” said Lechuti.

“Now the number of cases is increasing but the restrictions are being eased. Is this wise?”

He indicated that the people of Tsantsabane had become “victims” of the government’s actions.

EFF councillor in Tsantsabane, Dirk Esau, said one of the main concerns of the community was that even though people tested positive, they were not placed under strict quarantine.

“The mines should have arranged for a quarantine section. The mines have not taken proper measures to curb the spread of the virus, despite promises to the

community,” said Esau.

According to Esau, only one mine, Kolomela Mine, assisted the Health Department in terms of upgrading the hospital quarantine section.

The Northern Cape Department

of Health said yesterday that it was impossible for the workers to have been re-tested before the end of the 14-day quarantine period. No further comment was provided, while the Office of the Premier referred media enquiries to the DMRE.