Mine protests hit Somkhele

MEMBERS of the Mpukunyoni community took to the streets yesterday in protest against Tendele Mining (Pty) Ltd and its Somkhele opencast coal mine.

Amid a strong police presence, what started as a small gathering grew to about 80 people who marched down the R618 from Somkhele to the Tendele Mining offices.

March conveners handed a memorandum, comprising 30 grievances, to Tendele Mining CEO, Johan Gloy.

Cracking houses caused by blasting, contaminated water and heavy, dust-filled air causing illness among people and death among cattle are some of the more serious grievances contained in the memorandum.

Community members allegedly fall victim to flying pieces of rock caused by blasting and their dead cattle’s intestines are reportedly filled with coal.

Furthermore, children are at risk of being run over by coal trucks.

March convener and Mpukunyoni community member Mandla Zungu said Tendele Mining management has been unwilling to discuss these problems, hence the march.

Banners reading ‘stop water pollution’, ‘we want jobs, no jobs for us as community’, ‘no more racism in our area’ and ‘stop funding hit squads’ were carried by the protestors.

After listening to their grievances in Zulu and signing the memorandum, Gloy assured the community members he would organise a meeting with their spokespeople once the document has been translated. Gloy was not available for any further comment.

Zungu was happy with the turnout and support shown by community members and hopes to have a meeting with Gloy and Tendele Mining management by the end of November.

According to its website, Somkhele Mine employs more than 950 people, the majority of whom are locals.

An extended 20 year New Order Mining Right was granted in 2012 while Mining Right applications for new areas were submitted last year.

Unconfirmed reports refer to Somkhele Mine as the largest opencast anthracite mine in the world, but the mine is, however, South Africa’s largest producer of metallurgical anthracite.