Talks to end Steelpoort protests collapse
“Mines are obliged to adhere to the social labour plan, we understand you need jobs but not all of us will be able to work underground, and others must take advantages of procurement at the mines.”
BURGERSFORT- The much anticipated meeting between the Minister of Mineral Resources Adv Ngoako Ramathlodi, and the community members of Phasha Mampuru and Tukakgomo ended with no agreement.
The minister held the meeting with the communities to end devastating violent protest in the Steelpoort area; the strike had been ongoing since the past two weeks.
Speaking to the gathered crowd at the Greater Tubatse Municipality (GTM) ‘s chamber today (July 21), Ramathlodi said he wished the communities were going to elect task teams that will engage with his department and the mine managers in order to address’ the community’s needs.
“Mines are obliged to adhere to the social labour plan, we understand you need jobs but not all of us will be able to work underground, and others must take advantages of procurement at the mines.”
The meeting was brought to a standstill when the minister told the crowd that he did not come to Tubatse to be disrespected.
“I don’t have work opportunities in my pocket, I never came here to be disrespected by you,” he said.
The residents started hurling vulgar words at Ramathlodi and were escorted by a strong police force outside the chamber.
Some remarked, “We won’t stop protesting, or else the mines must shut down.”
Talking to the minister, residents said the major issue of the ongoing strike was the non compliance by mining companies as they hired outsiders neglecting the sons and daughters of the soil. They also accused the government of not providing services to them.
“Its simple, employ the community members and the rest will stop,’ said Kgoshigadi Phasha. For this article and more grab a copy of Steelburger/Lydenburg News this Friday
