RESIDENTS of a North West village have fled their homes after they were threatened with death in an ongoing conflict over a mining empowerment deal.
Mining company Lonmin and Bapo ba Mogale Tribal Authority - which covers eight platinum-rich villages with about 40000 residents - signed an equity deal on July 30. However, the agreement has caused a split among the villagers.
A group of about 20 people opposing the deal has sought legal opinion from the Legal Resources Centre in a bid to contest it in court.
The bone of contention is the two percent share to be paid to Bapo ba Mogale tribe.
The group is demanding a 26% share - a minimum requirement for a mining company to keep its operation licence as stipulated by the mining charter.
The tribal authority defended the deal because of future benefits that will change Bapo ba Mogale into a corporate structure.
Council spokesman Vladimir Mogale said those opposed to the deal are a small group of people who benefited illegally from the old royalty system.
He said residents voted in favour of the deal on June 29.
A woman who is against the agreement was allegedly threatened with death and that her house would be burnt down by unemployed youth in Segwaelane village at the weekend.
"On Saturday a group of men with a loud hailer were walking around the village announcing that there was a list with the names of people who are against the deal and that they would be dealt with by fire," said the woman who did not want to be named.
"They said they had a list of houses to be burnt should implementation of the deal be hindered."
The woman has sought the protection of local police.
"The unemployed youth is under the impression that they will not get employment at Lonmin if this deal does not go through. That's a lie.
"I just want the tribal council to be open with the community," said the woman.
Tshepo Maakane, another resident, fled his parents' house in Bapong village, also fearing for his life.
Mogale said the community had been getting royalties since 1969 but these varied between R10-million and R400-million per year.
"We have now forfeited the royalty system in favour of acquiring 2.25% shares valued at R600-million and we will be paid annual dividends. We will still have a stake at Lonmin even when they finish mining here."
He added that Bapo Investments Holding has been created to manage the funds which will include R100m to cover their operational expenses and R5-million for local development.
"Through this deal, we can now do business with Lonmin," said Mogale.
Maakane blamed the traditional council for misleading the community, particularly the unemployed.
"The current council is not a fully fledged legal structure and does not have legal authority to sign the deal because it's not been gazetted by the premier," said Maakane.
"Two weeks before the signing, the council employed 800 unemployed youth for a door-to-door to campaign for the signing of the deal. All we want is transparency about the deal."
sifilel@sowetan.co.za
Villagers flee after death threats
RESIDENTS of a North West village have fled their homes after they were threatened with death in an ongoing conflict over a mining empowerment deal.
Mining company Lonmin and Bapo ba Mogale Tribal Authority - which covers eight platinum-rich villages with about 40000 residents - signed an equity deal on July 30. However, the agreement has caused a split among the villagers.
A group of about 20 people opposing the deal has sought legal opinion from the Legal Resources Centre in a bid to contest it in court.
The bone of contention is the two percent share to be paid to Bapo ba Mogale tribe.
The group is demanding a 26% share - a minimum requirement for a mining company to keep its operation licence as stipulated by the mining charter.
The tribal authority defended the deal because of future benefits that will change Bapo ba Mogale into a corporate structure.
Council spokesman Vladimir Mogale said those opposed to the deal are a small group of people who benefited illegally from the old royalty system.
He said residents voted in favour of the deal on June 29.
A woman who is against the agreement was allegedly threatened with death and that her house would be burnt down by unemployed youth in Segwaelane village at the weekend.
"On Saturday a group of men with a loud hailer were walking around the village announcing that there was a list with the names of people who are against the deal and that they would be dealt with by fire," said the woman who did not want to be named.
"They said they had a list of houses to be burnt should implementation of the deal be hindered."
The woman has sought the protection of local police.
"The unemployed youth is under the impression that they will not get employment at Lonmin if this deal does not go through. That's a lie.
"I just want the tribal council to be open with the community," said the woman.
Tshepo Maakane, another resident, fled his parents' house in Bapong village, also fearing for his life.
Mogale said the community had been getting royalties since 1969 but these varied between R10-million and R400-million per year.
"We have now forfeited the royalty system in favour of acquiring 2.25% shares valued at R600-million and we will be paid annual dividends. We will still have a stake at Lonmin even when they finish mining here."
He added that Bapo Investments Holding has been created to manage the funds which will include R100m to cover their operational expenses and R5-million for local development.
"Through this deal, we can now do business with Lonmin," said Mogale.
Maakane blamed the traditional council for misleading the community, particularly the unemployed.
"The current council is not a fully fledged legal structure and does not have legal authority to sign the deal because it's not been gazetted by the premier," said Maakane.
"Two weeks before the signing, the council employed 800 unemployed youth for a door-to-door to campaign for the signing of the deal. All we want is transparency about the deal."
sifilel@sowetan.co.za
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