Protests rise in Phalaborwa
Four trucks and two vehicles were set alight in the Phalaborwa area as complaints about job recruitment procedures of the local mine again erupted into violence last week.
LIMPOPO – The four trucks were set alight when a group of people invaded the Makhushane depot where trucks that transport goods to the mine were parked, while two vehicles were set alight by people barricading the main roads. Seven other trucks were safely escorted out of the parking depot to the premises of the Phalaborwa Mining Company (PMC).
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“Police launched a massive manhunt for the group and cases of malicious damage to property and public violence were opened. No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing,” said Provincial Police Spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe.
He added the situation was being closely monitored by Vispol members from Namakgale Police, Lulekani, and Phalaborwa, and that back up from Public Order Police in Giyani has been requested to assist local police.
Police believe the violence is associated with the previous demand by the local community for the removal of PMC’s Community Liaison Officer (CLO) as last month violence erupted in the area over the same demand.
Over the past two years local communities have resorted to violence after accusing the local mine of sidelining local residents and businesses for jobs and contracts, failing to inject appropriate funds into the local communities’ development.
The protests follow the same pattern, resulting in the shutdown of businesses and schools as major roads are blocked and vehicles set alight. During the protests buses ferrying workers to the mine are prevented from travelling along the R71 road between Namakgale and Phalaborwa.
Mine management has taken a hardline stance, stating the protests, which are characterised by violence and intimidation, could not be negotiated out of, as none of the claims the community make are accurate.
The mine claims that R160 million had been invested into various community development projects in the region which is made up of five tribal communities and three townships since 2010.
A total amount of R10 million was allegedly allocated for the 2015 financial year alone.
Palabora Copper Corporate Affairs Manager, Hulisani Nemaxwi, has previously accused the local communities of wanting to select who the mine should employ, an arrangement the company said it was not willing to accept.
The mine management has also warned of the “significant ramifications” of the protests for the future of the company, not only hitting the schedule and execution of the R9,3 billion new underground project, which would extend the life of the mine to 2033, but also possibly leading to the mine’s closure.
“These unfortunate developments are happening at the most critical time in the mining industry and the economy,” the company said in a statement, adding that mining companies across the country were running at a loss, face headwinds and commodity price slumps, and an economic decline.
