Residents of a Limpopo mining area have taken a stance to bar political parties from interfering in their negotiations with a mining company.
Villages around Mapela near Mokopane were recently rocked by days of violent protests amid allegations of non-compliance by Anglo American Platinum.
The area is home to the company's Mogalakwena mine.
The violence settled after meetings with Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi which ended with a "road map plan" to resolve issues last Friday.
Yesterday, Mapela community leader Andrew Langa warned that residents would not allow political parties to meddle in their affairs during the negotiations.
"The people of Mapela have decided they do not want any political parties to interfere. We know that because there will be elections [local government] next year, some of them will come here with promises [for] votes," Langa said.
He said Ramatlhodi would only be allowed to address the community as a minister and government representative.
Yesterday, Langa attended a meeting involving the mining company, community representatives and the South African Human Rights Commission at the Park Hotel in Mokopane. The community has been accusing the company of failing to hire locals and develop the area. Locals previously told Sowetan that they struggled with employment and access to clean drinking water.
According to the mining charter, companies must conduct an analysis of developmental needs in the community and devise projects targeting such needs.
In recent months political parties have been making appearances in protest-prone mining areas.
EFF provincial secretary Jossey Buthane was arrested along with three locals while he was visiting the Mapela area recently.
The province has been hit by protests in other mining areas of Burgersfort and Phalaborwa, resulting in road blockages and the destruction of property.
EFF leader Julius Malema also staged a march to Modikwa Platinum Mine in Burgersfort.
Community activist in Mapela, Mokete Khoda, also complained that some ANC councillors arrived with the police on Monday morning to clear the streets that had been blocked by protesters.
Khoda said this was unfair because parties were taking advantage by making it look as if they were at the forefront of the community struggle.
Among the solutions agreed upon in meetings with Ramatlhodi last week was the return of 600 pupils to Seritarita Secondary.
The school was relocated earlier this year due to learning being disrupted by mine blasting.
mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
Protesters ban political parties
Residents of a Limpopo mining area have taken a stance to bar political parties from interfering in their negotiations with a mining company.
Villages around Mapela near Mokopane were recently rocked by days of violent protests amid allegations of non-compliance by Anglo American Platinum.
The area is home to the company's Mogalakwena mine.
The violence settled after meetings with Mineral Resources Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi which ended with a "road map plan" to resolve issues last Friday.
Yesterday, Mapela community leader Andrew Langa warned that residents would not allow political parties to meddle in their affairs during the negotiations.
"The people of Mapela have decided they do not want any political parties to interfere. We know that because there will be elections [local government] next year, some of them will come here with promises [for] votes," Langa said.
He said Ramatlhodi would only be allowed to address the community as a minister and government representative.
Yesterday, Langa attended a meeting involving the mining company, community representatives and the South African Human Rights Commission at the Park Hotel in Mokopane. The community has been accusing the company of failing to hire locals and develop the area. Locals previously told Sowetan that they struggled with employment and access to clean drinking water.
According to the mining charter, companies must conduct an analysis of developmental needs in the community and devise projects targeting such needs.
In recent months political parties have been making appearances in protest-prone mining areas.
EFF provincial secretary Jossey Buthane was arrested along with three locals while he was visiting the Mapela area recently.
The province has been hit by protests in other mining areas of Burgersfort and Phalaborwa, resulting in road blockages and the destruction of property.
EFF leader Julius Malema also staged a march to Modikwa Platinum Mine in Burgersfort.
Community activist in Mapela, Mokete Khoda, also complained that some ANC councillors arrived with the police on Monday morning to clear the streets that had been blocked by protesters.
Khoda said this was unfair because parties were taking advantage by making it look as if they were at the forefront of the community struggle.
Among the solutions agreed upon in meetings with Ramatlhodi last week was the return of 600 pupils to Seritarita Secondary.
The school was relocated earlier this year due to learning being disrupted by mine blasting.
mahopoz@sowetan.co.za
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