STEELPOORT- The ongoing strike by the residents of Mampuru, Phasha,Tukakgomo and Ngwaabe was calm this morning, the R555 was cleared and cars were travelling without hassles.
A meeting between the communities, mine managers, the Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) and the Greater Tubatse Municipality (GTM) mayors, the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) is scheduled for this afternoon at 15:00.
A solution was not reached during yesterday’s meeting as residents demanded that all mining companies avail themselves for the bosberaad.
The paper also spoke to Cllr Ephraim Hlatswayo who brushed the reports from other media publications that the protesters were targeting whites in the Steelpoort area.
“We hope to reach for an agreement with the mine managers, the municipalities and the DMR,its untrue that whites are targeted”he said.
The Burgersfort police station revealed that there was no burning of properties that was reported today.
The SDM’s mayor David Magabe said they were disturbed by the recent violence that erupted at the R555
“These acts are allegedly perpetrated by some residence from Ngwaabe, Phasha Mampuru and Tukakgomo areas as they continue to be at logger-heads with mining companies accusing them of not providing jobs and empowerment opportunities.
“I wishes to state on record that ‘communities are raising genuine concerns however acts of criminality are subject for the law enforcement agencies and are deeply discouraged,” the executive mayor said.
Since the protests started 16 trucks, a bus, and five private vehicles have been torched. Steelburger will provide the residents with the outcomes of the negotiations.
