The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources yesterday, 15 October 2014 welcomed the 2013/14 annual report of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), as well as the Auditor-General’s (A-G’s) report for the same financial year.
In her presentation, Ms Margaret Seoka from the A-G’s office reported that the DMR has achieved 100% unqualified audit with findings in the year under review.
On the other hand, the DMR’s Director-General Dr Thibedi Ramontja, pointed out some of the key highlights that have been achieved by his department including payment of 98% of invoices within 30 days, 75% reduction in explosive fatalities from four in 2012 to one during 2013 and drafting of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Bill.
Although welcoming both reports, Committee Chairperson Mr Sahlulele Luzipo reiterated that DMR’s report should have highlighted on the recommendations that were made by the Committee during the 2012/13 annual reporting and indicate how they were addressed.
“We commend the fact that the department performed well in the management of its finances and governance, but we need unqualified audit report with no findings,” Mr Luzipo said.
Similarly, Dr Ramontja reaffirmed his commitment that based on the interventions that his department has implemented, they will receive unqualified audit with no findings.
DMR’s Chief Inspector of Mines Mr David Msiza reported that during a commemoration of the Kinross disaster, his department has discovered an old grave site where unidentified mine workers were buried in Evander, Mpumalanga province.
“There is also a dilapidated hostel adjacent to the grave site and the discovery was very bad. Meanwhile, the department is mobilising relevant stakeholders to assist with the investigations,” Mr Msiza said.
Mr Luzipo, reiterated that the matter of a grave site, in which unidentified bodies of mine workers were buried is a serious matter that needs the Committee’s attention.
He said the department should hold discussions with labour unions in the mining sector, Mpumalanga Provincial Government and the municipality in reflection to build a mine workers’ monument that will highlight the history and struggle of the mine workers in South Africa.
This should be seen as the process that begins to highlight the history of mining in our country and the progress made so far.
“We need to bring to light the history of this mining area in order to confirm whether the people that are buried there were indeed mine workers and also trace the companies that mined around that area in the past,” Mr Luzipo said.
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Mr Justice Molafo
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Tel: 021 403 8444
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E-mail: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
