[DEBATE] : (Fwd) Maandagshoek to Angloplats: voetsek

[Patrick Bond]

Maandagshoek Development Committee (MDF)

Press Statement

Sunday 9th September 2007



ANGLOPLATS & MODIKWA MINE OFFICIALS VIOLATE LAND RIGHTS OF MANDAAGSHOEK 
COMMUNITY



COMMUNITY RIGHTFULLY DEFENDS THEIR LAND AND DETAINS OFFICIALS. POLICE 
REFUSE TO OPEN CASE



POLICE RUSH TO PROTECT OFFICIALS, CLASH WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS. VIOLENCE 
USED IN ARREST OF MAANDAGSHOEK COMMUNITY CHIEF AND MDF CHAIR WHO ARE 
CHARGED WITH ROBBERY, PUBLIC VIOLENCE & KIDNAPPING



On Friday (7th September), a group of AngloPlats and Modikwa Mine 
officials (some from London) in an act of complete contempt for the law 
and the community, illegally entered Maandagshoek community land in an 
attempt to conduct surveys for the sinking of a ventilation shaft for 
Modikwa Mine. The Maandagshoek community has, over three years ago, 
warned Angloplats/Modikwa to stay off their land. When the community, 
led by the MDF and Chief Isaac Kgwete confronted the officials and told 
them to leave, they refused. Community members then rightfully detained 
the officials and disarmed a lone policemen who had drawn his weapon and 
threatened to shoot community members.



MDF members then called the police to come and take the officials away 
and to charge them for their illegal invasion of community land. When 
police arrived (in large numbers) they instead refused to open a case 
and indicated they would arrest all the community /MDF members present. 
Not surprisingly, people legitimately resisted and clashed with the 
police. Chief Isaac Kgwete and MDF Chair, Michael Kgwete, were beaten 
and arrested and then charged with robbery, public violence and 
kidnapping. They are presently being held at the Mecklenberg Police 
Station and will appear in court tomorrow (Monday) morning.



This is but the latest example of the thuggery of AngloPlats and the 
police and confirms, once again, the utter failure of the police and the 
government to enforce the law and to respect the rights of the 
Maandagshoek community. For the last three years, community members have 
been subject to repeated beatings and arrests for simply defending their 
land and demanding proper negotiations with AngloPlats/Modikwa over 
mineral and land rights and the so-called ‘joint community ownership’ of 
the Modikwa Mine. The police, instead of protecting the community and 
enforcing the law, have become the private security arm of the mine and 
its AngloPlats/African Rainbow Minerals owners. Similarly, local, 
provincial and national government have completely failed in their 
responsibility to uphold the law and also to mediate in any dispute over 
land and mineral rights as required by legislation. The situation in 
Maandagshoek today is reminiscent of the old apartheid days when mining 
corporations did exactly as they pleased to any community and were 
protected by the police and the government.





The illegal and contemptuous behaviour of AngloPlats/Modikwa is 
outrageous and must be stopped!



The continued victimisation and criminalisation of the Maandagshoek 
community by the police, alongside many other poor, rural communities 
that live on mineral-rich land, cannot be allowed to continue!



Government must protect the legal rights of the Maandagshoek community 
and show respect for those it claims to represent





For further information/comment, contact:



MDF Spokesperson, Emmanuel Magoga on 082 343-5095

OR MDF attorney Richard Spoor on 083 627-1722