UPDATE:Tronox responds to Fairbreeze protest
N2 protest ends with one death and 57 arrests.
OBANJENI Community Council Chairperson Philani Mthethwa claimed the crowd was protesting near Fairbreeze mine on Monday because the Obanjeni Traditional Authority ‘neglects the wishes of its own people, putting its own needs first’.
He believes mining company Tronox is not ‘properly informed about jobs to the community’ – the source of the conflict – because of the rift which exists between the community and their traditional leadership.
In response, Tronox KZN Sands said it could only hire local workers at the Fairbreeze Mine project in capacities suitable for available skills.
‘We have an agreement with four tribal authorities – Mkhwanazi, Ogagwini, Nzuza and Mathaba – to assist in identifying members of the community with the skills required to work at the construction site,’ the company said in a statement.
‘Fairbreeze is a complex construction programme requiring workers with a range of skill sets. At present, 43 percent of the Fairbreeze construction workforce are local hires. The company’s aim is a local hiring target peaking at 60 percent.
‘The current deficit is a function of locally available skills.’
