Somkhele tensions still simmering
The Mpukunyoni Community Property Association is organising a march from Somkhele mine to the traditional authority office
THE Dubelenkunzi community in Somkhele continues its fight against mining in the area, after successfully electing an anti-mining committee, despite alleged violence and intimidation from traditional leaders.
The community, also on Tuesday, reported that the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) agreed to order Tendele Coal Mining, the owner of Somkhele anthracite mine, to halt mining activities in the disputed KwaQubuka area.
Earlier this month the chairman of the Mpukunyoni Community Property Association (MCPA) sent a letter to Tendele Coal Mining instructing it to halt mining activity in the KwaQubuka expansion area, citing violation of section 5(4) of the Mineral, Petroleum and Resource Development Act (MPRDA).
This part of the Act concerns the legal nature of prospecting, mining and exploration.
In a statement on Tuesday, Tendele Mining said it did not believe it was in violation of the Act and that it had entered into individual contracts with the owners of the land in question.
After learning of the MCPA’s claims that the DMR agreed to instruct the mining company to halt activities in KwaQubuka, Somkhele mine management said in a statement, ‘Management of Tendele Coal Mining has an excellent working relationship with the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) at a national and provincial level. DMR regularly inspects and audits the operations of the Somkhele anthracite mine, and has always found Tendele to be compliant with all legislation and regulations governing mining.
‘Tendele has a mining right for the KwaQubuka area. Management is not aware of any DMR concerns about activities currently underway. Tendele has at no point been ordered to halt activities in the area.’
Meanwhile, the MCPA is organising a march from the mine to the Mpukunyoni Tribal Authority’s offices to take place next week.
Along with the Dubelenkunzi community, the MCPA says certain traditional leaders must be pushed out of office as they do not have the community’s best interests at heart.
