Johannesburg - Residents of a mining town in Limpopo have lost their ability to self-sustain themselves and their families through farming due to mining activities says a study released by ActionAid South Africa.
The report which was released on Monday, in Johannesburg, and studied the effects of Anglo American Platinum’s Mogalakwena Mine in Mapela, in Mokopane, Limpopo.
“Evidence presented by the ethnographic material suggests that many people in the study villages have lost access to land. Land dispossession also connects to loss of access to other natural resources including fruits, trees, natural herbs and firewood,” said the study.
Another concern was that the communities located close to the mines found that there were strong complaints on the environmental impact of the mine.
“ Air pollution and damage to houses are among the main complaints,” highlighted the study.
The report labelled the agricultural effects of mining activities as a “livelihood crisis” and that it has led to vast food insecurity.
The launch was attended by many community members from across Platinum belt and rights’ groups such as Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua).
One of those in attendance was Samuel Mashishi from the Ga-Chaba community, in Mokopane, where the study was conducted.
He said that the fight to hold Anglo Platinum accountable to the community was a long and frustrating process.
“There are too many delays in our community for getting answers from Anglo Platinum. We have tried there is nothing that has resulted. We need to know more how the money they contribute will benefit and what they will do about our houses that are cracked,” said Mashishi.
ActionAid’s report is a follow-up to a study conducted in the villages of Mokopane in 2008, which found that there were various human rights violations against the people of Mapela and Langa Villages.
Labour Bureau