Residents blast mining company near Nseleni
Resident Mgadeni Dube accused the Kumbu Bricks and Quarry mine of failing to fulfil its promises, while making life difficult for them in the interim
RESIDENTS of Mayeni Reserve near Nseleni township, have expressed their anger towards a local mining company.
Resident Mgadeni Dube accused the Kumbu Bricks and Quarry mine of failing to fulfil its promises, while making life difficult for them in the interim.
‘All of us who owned houses here were relocated last year, under the promise that new houses would be built for us, but so far nothing has happened.
‘It was impossible for us to live in this mining area as most of our houses were cracking as a result of the blasting everyday.
‘I for one have suffered the most. I lost my first wife, who died of a heart attack related to the tension. She had never
had heart problems before the mining started.
‘The cracks on my house were so bad that it was about to fall on me.
‘The only thing the mining company did, was to dig trenches for the foundation phase, but they never returnedto complete the work,’ said anirate Dube.
When asked for comment, the Head of Bhejane Traditional Authority Inkosi Nolwazi Khoza said all the answers were available at the tribal authority.
‘If you are looking for answers regarding the matter, you are most welcome to come to our traditional court,’ she said.
Kumbu Bricks and Quarry manager, Phumlani Mbuyazi said all affected community members were invited two
months ago to a meeting to discuss the way forward, regarding the relocation of people who were staying closer
to the mine.
‘We engaged all the communities in the area, in an event where we slaughtered seven cows to welcome them in our
discussions, and where we also explained what was causing delays in the project.
‘There were serious challenges in our mine, which had a negative effect on our profit.
We explained all these things to community members.
‘We still commit ourselves to fulfilling that promise of building nine houses for the community of Mayeni.
‘We will do everything that we have been ordered to do by the Department of Minerals,’said Mbuyazi.
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