African National Congress (ANC) deputy president David Mabuza has vowed to resolve the long-standing impasse between the communities of Mokopane and Ivanplants multi-mineral mine.
Residents of various villages in Mokopane, Limpopo, have told David Mabuza that they have lost hope in problems they have with mining companies as well as service delivery challenges.
Mabuza was in the area as part of his election campaign trail in Limpopo.
The mining community has been at loggerheads with the mine for years. They’ve accused mine management of excluding them from jobs and economic empowerment opportunities.
Residents have been protesting in the last few years as Mokopane is riddled with poverty and unemployment.
Some of the residents have complained about not being employed by local mining houses, while others accuse the Mogalakwena Municipality of not providing basic services.
“This issue of Ivan plats and the mines and Mogalakwena Municipality has been existing throughout, but they never gave us the audience. But now just because they need votes they are now promising to solve all the problems.
“Immediately after the elections, they won’t come back. I reside in Mzombane. In the section where we are residing, we have not had electricity since 2016. We don’t have roads; we don’t have water; we don’t have a clinic, even a mobile clinic, and people have to walk 4,5 kilometres,” says one of the residents.
Mabuza has assured the residents that their challenges will be attended to.
“Another matter that they have raised is the issue of mining here so that we expand the economy. One matter again, which is a problem, is the issue of water here. I have received the plan from the municipality and we are going to make it a point that, that plan is taken to the national government to ensure that there is water in all the 100 and something villages here. When it is raining here people are struggling to drive their cars, to bury people, go to school … one mater that they said ANC must deal with.”
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