[DEBATE] : (Fwd) Fighting Angloplats: Mining union joins communities, young communists

[Patrick Bond]

Call for community level revolution against Angloplat
Lesiba Seshoka, NUM, 12 June 2008

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) noted with dismay the disdainful 
manner in which Angloplatinum has resorted to play its cards with the 
mining communities around its operations.

The youth from Northwest community of Baphalane ba Matserre backed by 
the Young Communist League marched this morning to present their 
memorandum over a plethora of woes and Angloplat CEO was not available 
to receive the memorandum. He instead delegated the Spokesperson to 
receive the it. The youth left without handing the memorandum.

This shows the disdainful and arrogant manner in which the company wants 
to deal with its supposed stakeholders.

The NUM further notes with dismay the activities of Angloplatinum and 
its mining allies as shown on Special Assignment last night in which 
communities are being shortchanged and harassed for the precious 
minerals on their land. The manner in which the graves have been 
relocated leaves a lot to be desired.

The NUM calls on the Department of Minerals and Energy to ensure that 
they quickly get to the bottom of the problems created by these 
companies on local communities as indicated by the Minister in her 
budget speech and take appropriate action.

Communities are indeed not becoming meaningful beneficiaries of mining 
taking place in their midst. They are relegated to the periphery while a 
handful of self-appointed elite identified by the mining houses to 
suppress any revolution become the beneficiaries.

The NUM calls on communities to show unity of purpose in rejecting this 
shameful attitudes and behaviour outright and to begin a revolution that 
will ensure that mining benefits the owners of the land.