Members of MACUA (Mining Affected Communities United in Action) joined a major protest against proposed amendments to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) recently.

More than 80 members from Khutsong attended the demonstration at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 13 August. They handed a letter expressing their concerns about the new amendments to the Department of Mineral Resources’ Chief Director of Mineral and Petroleum Regulation, Ms. Modilati Malapane.

The delegation was led by Wits community activist Robert Karaus.
“These amendments will have a huge impact on communities near mines such as ours, but the Department has held no outreaches to ensure proper public participation,” said Khutsong protester Bethuel Magwebu.

Another MACUA member, Paul Mokele, added, “The amendments will give the government the power to make even more decisions on behalf of mining-affected communities such as ours. Unfortunately, the past has shown that this does not work.”

MACUA is advocating for greater community input in decisions affecting mining-affected areas and is also pushing for other reforms, including the legalisation of artisanal miners.