Residents from Trichardt area accuse mining companies of ignoring locals
Thanda Ntshangase, a community leader, claims contractors at both companies are corrupt because their agents demand money in exchange for employment.
Residents from the Holfontein informal settlement and surrounding farms blocked the road to Syferfontein Mine and other mines on March 26.
They demanded job opportunities and community development programmes from Thungela and Sasol.
Employees of these companies could not access their workplaces because of the road closure.
These residents accuse the mining companies of neglecting them for job opportunities and skills development.
Sasol and Thungela sent their representatives to listen to the residents’ grievances in the presence of the police.
Thanda Ntshangase, a community leader, told both companies they ignored the farm dwellers.
“We are the ones who experience explosions and other environmental challenges, but when it comes to opportunities, we get sidelined.”
Ntshangase claims contractors at both companies are corrupt because their agents demand money in exchange for employment.
“We are poverty stricken but surrounded by mines. We need the companies to build us a farm skills centre that will upskill the farms’ communities.”
Ntshangase said the community woke up that morning and decided to block the road without a valid reason.
“We have been engaging both companies for a long time, but nothing has happened,” said Ntshangase.
Representatives from both companies acknowledged the residents’ grievances and promised feedback in due course.
Only then did the protestors reopen the road.
