Locals submit memorandum of demands to Marula Platinum Mine
Implats’ spokesperson, Johan Theron, said they have formal, recognised structures from all the impacted communities that deal with community related issues.
BURGERSFORT – About 300 community members who live in the vicinity of Marula Platinum Mine again picketed outside the mine’s Makgomo Plant on Monday.
This is the second time this month they embarked on a protest at the mine. Their first protest was on September 7. The residents were from Diphale, Seuwe (Ga-Makete) and Mantjekane villages.
Protesting under the Major Cultivate Institute structure, the residents demanded employment, procurement opportunities and bursaries from the mine.
“We have 362 crop field owners who previously used the area in which Marula is mining to support their families. Today locals are unemployed and the crop field owners are getting only R800 per annum.
The mine is making money while locals are suffering,” said one of the conveners, SMJ Matjie.
The locals demanded that they be paid R7 500 a month by the mine.
They indicated that they had been harvesting maize, watermelons and other crops, but since the mine has been operating they have not benefited, and the R800 paid to them is not enough.
The protesters suggested that recruitment be done at the local tribal offices (Moshate).
They alleged the mine was hiring outsiders.
“Bursaries are given to people who are far away from the mine. We have kids who have passed with flying colours, but they are being denied opportunities.”
Community members also alleged the mine is not adhering to the social labour plan.
“Since 2001, we were promised water at Ga-Makete community. Still today nothing has been done,” the protesters added.
Implats’ spokesperson, Johan Theron, said they have formal, recognised structures from all the impacted communities that deal with community related issues.
“The small group of people that presented the memorandum to the mine does not form part of the formal recognised structures and/or are recognised by the formal community structures as representatives of the community. Not withstanding, they have been invited to present their mandate and challenges to the formal structures at the mine for deliberation.”
He said all the affected crop field owners were identified at the start of mining activity with the assistance of the community and government.
“The areas impacted and the families have received due compensation from this time onwards according to agreements reached between the parties at the time and in line with formal compensation standards for
lost production, such that the commercial compensation received, even if perceived as modest on face value, far exceeded what can be achieved through agricultural practise on the affected land, such that they are more
than compensated for their loss.”
He said Marula remains open to work with all the communities in addressing these issues as best as possible, in the best interest of all.
