The Tsantsabane Unemployment and Business Forum (TUBF) on Tuesday led a community protest against the operations of about 11 mines in the area that are accused of not contributing to the social labour plan.
THE TSANTSABANE Unemployment and Business Forum (TUBF) on Tuesday led a community protest against the operations of about 11 mines in the area that are accused of not contributing to the social labour plan (SLP).
The forum was supported by community members in barricading the entrance and exit roads to the mines with rocks and burning tyres, under the watchful eye of the police.
Trucks and loading vehicles were prevented from entering or exiting the mines.
The Griekwastad road, which has been used as a detour route for the closed section of the R31, was barricaded. Other roads that were closed included the road between Kuruman and Kathu, the R385 and the R31 to Lime Acres.
The only roads that were left open were those in and out of Kolomela and Beeshoek mines.
The forum accused the mines of “stealing” from the community of Tsantsabane Local Municipality and not contributing to its upliftment.
The protesters said the mines “have been operating illegally for too long without caring for the communities where they operate”.
One of the community leaders said that the mining companies “ferry products and minerals out of the town” and do not create jobs for locals.
“The unemployment rate remains high but we are surrounded by so many mines. They are stealing from us, destroying our roads and contributing to the high rate of unemployment among the youth and substance abuse.
“We can’t allow this anymore. They see us as stupid people.”
The community hopes to engage in a round-table discussion with the listed mines on Thursday.
They said, however, that so far only two of the mines have “shown an interest” in engaging with them.
The Tsantsabane Local Municipality did not comment on whether it would be part of the engagements.
