Follow-up report illegal mining

Boitumelo Thobejane

 

After so many years  of illegal mining of chrome in the Fetakgomo-Tubatse local municipality, the force has responded to the disaster and illegal mining that its happening in Burgersfort areas. People died in the holes and illegal mining continues to happen despite the danger it impose to people and the environment.

 

Let’s hope this time the  defence force will make sure  that people in the communities are safe.  Now here is the question of whether it’s a blessing or curse since people from community make money out of this, families depend on money they get for working and selling the chrome . They create employment but it’s unfortunate that the jobs are not safe and people are under paid and there is only few benefits from illegal mining. Christmas is almost here and families are looking on taking care of loved ones, children expect to be spoiled by parents. Schools will be opening in January, some of the learners will not have stationery of school uniform, who do we blame? is it unemployment state in our country or is DMRE is not doing their job by protecting us?

 

I personally think that our government must give decent jobs to everyone and mines that are in our communities must hire local because they are the ones who are the owners of illegal mining groups.

 

Drilling machines , wheelbarrows and generators where taken from the sites where illegal mining is taking place. It is unfortunate that those who benefits from this were not arrested but the poor people who are trying to provide for  their families are the ones who are paying the price while their bosses are  somewhere far hiding and enjoying the money. Will the army be here forever or Is just for now that it’s festive?