mining houses regarding their conflict
31 July 2007
The Premier of Limpopo, Honourable Sello Moloto is meeting the community of
Mandagshoek from Greater Tubatse Municipality and mining houses operating in
the area. This meeting which is taking place today, 31 July 2007, at Bolivia
Lodge in Polokwane, would include members of the Steering committee from
Mandagshoek, Anglo Platinum, Africa Rainbow Minerals, Inkwe Platinum, Genora
and the community of Kgoshi Isaac Kgwethe and Kwena-phuthi tribal
authority.
The meeting is taking place against the background of conflicts that have
for many years engulfed communities and mines in our province. "In line with
the Premier's efforts to intervene in the these conflicts, the meeting will
mainly focus on getting the conflicting parties to find one another and
ultimately establish a common solution moving forward," said Mogale Nchabeleng,
Limpopo Premier's Spokesperson.
The government delegation led by the Premier would include officials from
his office, provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment and
Tourism, and the national Department of Minerals and Energy. Over the past 18
months we have seen communities in areas in question up in arms against the
Section 21 companies and Mining Houses.
The allegations raised by members of the communities ranged from Section 21
companies' members practicing nepotism in the employment of people and mining
houses not living up to their social responsibility obligations. These would
include the reluctance on the part of the mines to engage local labour and
business in terms of supply of services and related empowerment initiatives
such as skills development.
With regard to the conflict in Motlhotlo, Mogalakwena Municipality, the
Premier has established an all inclusive Task Team on 21 June 2007 to oversee
the process of finding a solution to some of the identified problems and more
importantly, harness relations between the communities and mining houses.
"We believe these efforts will go a long way towards ensuring that the
expansion of mining activities in the province benefit our people and
contribute meaningfully towards the growth and development of the economy of
Limpopo and South Africa as a whole," said the Premier of Limpopo, Sello
Moloto.
Enquiries:
Mogale Nchabeleng
Spokesperson
Tel: 015 287 6151
Cell: 072 632 8984
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
31 July 2007
