Abrupt end to mining dispute meeting
The 1 000 community members who attended the meeting felt the Ibutho Coal representatives were not equipped to answer their questions.
ATTEMPTING to address the accusation that Ibutho Coal has failed to consult with the communities to be affected by the proposed Fuleni mine, the company called a meeting in Nthuthunga Two.
It was aborted after just 40 minutes.
The 1 000 community members who attended the meeting felt the Ibutho Coal representatives were not equipped to answer their questions and, according to one of the elected mining committee representatives, Billy Mzokhana Mnqondo, the venue was not big enough and no toilets were provided.
‘The marquee was totally inadequate for the crowd that arrived, the sound system was faulty so most people could not hear what was being said, and no toilets or water had been organised,’ said Mnqondo.
Moreover, community members were outraged at Ibutho Coal’s alleged ‘strong-arm tactics’. They claim hundreds of community members from outside the Fuleni-affected zone were brought in, reportedly to lobby in favour of the proposal being discussed.
Residents of Nhlabusini, the largest village under the Mhlana Tribal Authority, were advised to leave Sunday’s meeting as it was only for those directly affected by the proposed mine.
While communities continue their fight against Ibutho Coal, they say they have been let down by their own tribal leadership, most notably Nkosi Mthethwa’s son Mbusowabathethwa (also known as Mntanenkosi), who is in favour of mining and has ellegedly supported Ibutho Coal from the outset.
Environmental consequences
If given the go-ahead, Fuleni mine will be on the doorstep of the world-renowned Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP).
Conservationists fear mining activity on the boundary of the park’s wilderness area will increase poaching and reduce tourism numbers.
The mine will further strain the already stressed Mfolozi River which fails to supply the increasing surrounding populations, both rural and urban, with adequate water for daily living.
Although the amended scoping report was accepted by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Global Environmental Trust (GET) has called for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be stopped, given the environmental consequences.
Ibutho Coal has been persistently unavailable for comment.
@TamlynJolly
