May Spoor win one for the environment

THE Mercury’s May 5 lead article illustrates that Australian-based Minerals Resource Commodities (MRC) company is treating local Wild Coast communities as uneducated individuals with neither the expertise nor financial backing to take on MRC.

An environmental impact assessment (EIA) may allow for public input, but having campaigned against certain industries I know the government bulldozes these EIAs though, regardless of public opinion. Turning to the courts requires serious funding, so MRC has the upper hand. And the violence will likely continue.

Behind the scenes are, no doubt, some major South Africa-based players willing to see the environment raped beyond rehabilitation and communities displaced, all in the name of their earning money.

The state of rivers and environments on the northern side of Mzamba bears testament to how poorly the respective ministers have addressed environmental issues – and now they want to start the same degradation in the south.

I hope legal and wildlife groups are prepared to assist the local community in fighting for what is, constitutionally, their land. But even our constitution does not stack up against the financial benefits certain parties aim to reap. We do not learn from our mistakes. Our government lives day-to-day and there is no focus on the environment.

Why, all of a sudden, are we hearing about shale fracking in the Karoo, seismic surveys, possible offshore mining, and now, heavy metals in coastal dunes in Xolobeni.

It is clear the minister of Minerals and Energy is embroiled in these deals and the promise of jobs has masked the negatives, which include vast tracts of red dune sand, useless for farming or grazing.

I hope Richard Spoor, who is representing the community, can take this matter to the highest courts, as public comment periods in the EIA process are but window dressing.

G JANSEN Warner beach