Xolobeni judders as mining hovers
Despite a high court judgment halting extraction, villagers feel unsafe as the minister plans a survey and resettlement guidelines
life without bodyguards. But this changed last month after she got wind of rumours that her life was under threat once more.
Last week she told a session of the 10th Alternative Mining Indaba in Cape Town that those opposed to the mining are living in fear of their lives.
“We are facing death threats, murder, intimidation, everything. The state of South Africa is part and parcel of supporting that. I’m not even ashamed to say what I’m saying.”
Mbuthuma suspects police complicity in the failure to solve the murders of Rhadebe and the 11 others.
“I don’t trust the police. The murder cases are deliberately blocked,” she says.
They have since learnt that the helicopter seen hovering over her homestead was hired to conduct an aerial survey of bridges being constructed for the N2 highway project.
But she is sceptical. It doesn’t make much sense because, she argues, her home is located along the area targeted for the proposed mining and not along the route for the planned highway.
The residents believe the highway, which has also been the subject of opposition and court litigation, is being built to help mining trucks to transport materials from the mine once it is in operation.
The construction of the highway is opposed on the grounds that it will go over their fields, lead to relocation of homesteads and disrupt the agricultural economy of the area.
Most residents farm sweet potatoes and amadumbe (yam), which they sell to the fresh produce market in Durban and to independent businesses. They also farm cattle, goats and sheep and live off the marine life.
“We want our village to be accessible. Make access roads that are gravelled. Take the money [for the highway] to build access roads. The highway is going to split the community,” argues Mbuthuma.
Last week the Aveng Strabag joint venture announced it had terminated the R1.65-billion Mtentu bridge contract, saying it has been unable to work at the project site in Mtentu and Xolobeni since October. The company blamed this on ongoing protests by residents.
Mbuthuma says one of the reasons for the protests was that the project could seemingly not manage to employ more people.
“Conflict started because people were promised jobs. But when the project started there were no jobs,” she says.
Residents will fight the licence issue at the Constitutional Court if needs be, Mbuthuma says.
“We do want development. We want to see ecotourism in our community. We want to see agriculture in our community. Mining is shortterm, it is not sustainable [and] it is not going to benefit the next generation. As a mother or father you must think for your own children’s [future].”
A drawn-out battle is likely because it appears neither the government nor the Amadiba are prepared to budge. One of the clear indicators from government came in a speech by Mantashe at the 25th African Mining Indaba last week.
The indaba is a gathering of investors and stakeholders of the mining industry. The Alternative Mining Indaba, attended by Mbuthuma, is a parallel gathering of nongovernmental organisations, affected communities and organisations, together with church groups.
Mantashe acknowledged that “there must be meaningful and sufficient engagement with communities” but also emphasised the need for the state to be in charge of the mining licensing function, which was central to the November high court judgment.
“It must be emphasised that the licensing function should remain with the state, as required by legislation, and not be assigned to communities,” he said.
Mantashe revealed that government is developing resettlement guidelines for the residents of the area.
He said the guidelines are consistent with the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, which provides for engagement and compensation for loss or damage as a result of mining development.
“They are intended to safeguard the rights and interests of communities where resettlement takes place and will be finalised in this financial year in consultation with communities and interested and affected parties,” said Mantashe.
In the meantime, the Amadiba are pressing ahead and exploring alternatives to mining.
The residents, through the Amadiba Coastal Community Development Trust, plan to develop a lodge close to the sea and introduce ecotourism, which will include teaching guests about village life, horse riding, cycling, walking trails and fishing.
“They [government] think mining is the only alternative to development, which is not true. Why not think of alternatives to mining? Mining destroys Mother Earth, it destroys our livelihood,” argues Mbuthuma.
“We are saying no to mining. We are not saying no because it’s Australians [who want to mine]. We are not racist. We don’t hate Australians. We hate extraction.” — Mukurukuru Media