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Dune mine: Ministers subpoenaed
Three government ministers have been subpoenaed to appear before the South African Human Rights Commission to account for allegations of human rights violations in the proposed multi-billion rand mining development in Xolobeni near Bizana.
Minerals and Energy Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk and Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Lulama Xingwana were subpoenaed to appear before the Commission on April 22.
HRC Chief Executive Officer advocate Tseliso Thipanyane on Thursday warned if the three Ministers failed to appear they could face criminal charges for Violating the Commission’s Act.
Thipanyane said there seemed to be a tendency from government bodies to ignore letters from the Commission.
“I do not know whether they know that failure to appear before the commission without good reason, is a criminal offence. If they ignore the subpoenas, criminal charges will be brought against them for violating the Commission’s Act,” said Thipanyane.
“We wrote letters to the departments in February but they were ignored hence the decision to subpoena them. We want the ministers to explain their decisions and if there is violation of human rights,” said Thipanyane.
Australia’s Mineral Commodities, its South African subsidiary Transworld Energy and Mineral Resources, and BEE partner Xolobeni Empowerment Company have applied to mine prestine dunes at Xolobeni, south of Port Edward.
Exploratory drilling has reportedly revealed that Xolobeni has the world’s 10th largest titanium deposit, worth about R11-billion.
The application has outraged environmental groups and some members of the community particularly the Amadiba Crisis Committee which is opposed to mining.
It is this committee which wrote to the Human Rights Commission and Thipanyane said the committee alleged that requirements for consultation with all the interested and affected parties had not been complied with.
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I agree Peter. How did these wallabies get so far with the project is what I wanna know…. Oh Hang on .. Check the ministers Garage… He might have a new Range Rover
This Wildcoast mining initiative must not be allowed to proceed. The method of mining to be used at Xolobeni is particularly destructive and wholly unsustainable.
It will create a handful of manual labour jobs, and when the titanium deposits have been depleted, those people will again be out of work, only with a whole lot more debt than when they started. It is shocking that a venture such as this can even be considered in such a beautiful area. Tourism initiatives are far more sustainable.
It is also incredible that this government will consider awarding the mining rights to a foreign company. What are they thinking? Or is this another situation where the BEE component will be expected to lobby buddies in high places to push through decisions that are not in the best interests of South Africa and it’s people? It seems really strange that the department of minerals and energy is paying scant attention to the wishes of the people who will have to live with this mine. In 20 years time when the titanium and most of the profit is gone the project will be held up by some politician as and example of how a western country came to Africa and stole it’s wealth. And the sad part is he will be right.
If the beauty of South Africa is to be destroyed for cash at least let it be done by South Africans
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