Ilima Coal Company blames Covid-19 for delaying move

Family ‘unaware’ of an RDP being built for them

Ilima Coal Company has blamed Covid-19 for delaying its plans to finalise the relocation and construction of houses for five families impacted by its mining operations in Carolina.

Director Edwin Makobela said they had consulted with Zembe Masina in March last year about a possible relocation. The mine had proposed to the families to move to another farm where they would create a communal property association which would entitle them to a brick and mortar house built by Ilima on a 2-hectre stand with grazing rights. The house would have sanitation and electricity.

Makobela said Masina had shown an interest to relocate when these plans were explained to him.

“Based on this indication, Ilima commenced consultation process with other stakeholders and affected parties/ families to formalise the proposal and to consider all other factors relating to it. The company has also engaged with an architect and building constructors to design and provide Ilima with a cost proposal for the construction of houses. Due to Covid, there have been some delays finalising these proposals,” Makobela said.

He said they intended to revert to Masina once the budget and designs have been approved.

“It was never the intention to force Mr Masina to relocate.”

Despite plans by Makobela’s company, the Chief Albert Luthuli local municipality said the Masinas have been approved for an RDP house in Silobela township.

“The family has been engaged to indicate where they want their house to be [built],” spokesperson Thapelo Phetla said.

“It must be indicated that the mine wants to relocate the Masina family to another area. A contractor has been appointed for the construction of the RDP house.

“The contractor is on site at Silobela township. The dispute between the Masina family and the mine has caused the delays of the services.”

Themba Masina said his family was not aware of an RDP plan for them in the township.