Siyanqoba community members complaining about the nearby mine
Another issue raised by the community members is that of big machines movement transported to and from the mine
A section of community members from Siyanqoba said they have raised some issues with the nearby Afri Coal Mine but it seems their cries have fallen on deaf ears.
They added to say that since they started staying in the area in 2018 their houses have been cracking because of mine blasts from the nearby mine.
They indicated that after they saw cracks in their houses, they raised the issue with the mine management; they were promised that the matter will be attended to.
“Mine management promised to come back to us in 2018 when we first raised the issue and they marked all the houses with cracks, but they never came. We raised the issue again this year in July and an appointment was set for a meeting but the manager said it was not his mine that has caused the cracks in our houses,” said Mr Thabo Maimela, one of the community leaders.
Mr Maimela added to say that they were told by the management that mines in Vosman and Kromdraai which are about 10km away and far away from their area are the causes of the cracks.
Another issue raised by the community members is that of big machines movement transported to and from the mine.
They said initially the machines used to move during the night, but now they are said to be moved during the day causing a lot of shaking to their houses and more damage to their houses.
At one-time community members stopped the machines moving in the nearby road.
“The mine does not offer us any job opportunities or skills development courses. We are not benefiting anything from the mine except the damage they are causing to our houses. We need answers from the mine management,” added another community leader Mr Dumisane Mahlalela.
A questionnaire was sent to the mine and we were promised that they would respond in time, but no response was received before going to print.
