The Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) said it is heading to the High Court of South Africa in Bloemfontein, Free State, today, to file an interdict against mining companies, to defend the right to protest, of mining communities in Nyakallong, Kutloanong, Masilonyana and Matjhabeng
Districts.
This is a responce to Harmony Gold Mining company, Avgold, Freegold (harmony) and Loraine Gold Mine, who obtained an interdict on 22 July 2024, against the residents of the Nyakallong, Masilonyana, and Matjhabeng Districts and surrounds.
MACUA’s Magnificent Mndebele said the organization intends to use the court to deprive these communities of justice and to hinder them from being able to hold the mine accountable for many of its failures, particularly around its Social Labour Plan commitments and environmental damages.
“As MACUA, we see this as a clear effort to subvert the course of justice and we will not allow mining companies to abuse court processes to silence the voices of marginalised and affected communities.”
He also said the majority of residents
live in conditions of poverty and are significantly impacted by high levels of unemployment, and are affected by the presence of a mine dam, the water from which has damaged their homes.
Mndebele said the union will challenge the growing trend of mining companies who abuse court processes as a form of repression against activists in order to deny impoverished communities the right to hold those mining corporations accountable for their environmental and social injustices.
The people represented from the community are Sophie Skosana and Patsa Mthethwa, from Nyakallong.
Mndebele said MACUA contends that Harmony is using court processes to abuse and quell dissent of, in their own words, “Residents of the Nyakallong, Masilonyana, and Matjhabeng Districts and surrounds involved and/or partaking in the interdicted activities.”