Shifting of materials

Victoria Makgoo

Since the beginning of this month, trucks have been moving daily, loading material from the mine in Morapaneng village. That shows that this material is from Twickenham mine. When the community asks what is going on, no one responds. It seems no one knows what is going on; even the Community Engagement Forum (CEF) doesn’t have an answer for the community. It is also surprising that the community is left behind, and they are asking themselves whether this material is moving from the Hackney shaft or if they are going to sell the equipment.

The community has also been left behind since the mine reopening, there was no communication with the community about how far the reopening is, and again now they are moving material. They did not tell the community that, it is so bad when they make their final decision without consulting the community. That is very surprising because the community needs change or there is no vision in the community. So that they should know what steps to take so that the community does not stay behind. Some are afraid that the mine will be closed forever hunger will enter their families and unemployment will have a major impact on society.

I tried talking to at least two people.

Interviewer 1

I am a resident of Morapaneng. I am surprised that trucks come in every month to take material from the mine. The surprising thing is that the community has not been informed or asked if they are surprised to see trucks coming in and what they are doing because they have never talked to the people.

Interviewer 2

I am one of the security personnel who works at the Twickenham mine, we just saw that there will be trucks that will take material where they are going and what will happen I do not know. We have not been asked whether the mine will be opened or if is it the end of our work.

We as the community believe the solution is that the mine should talk to the community about every decision they have made, and we would be happy if there were people who would say they are asking about me at the mine. Where the news would come from because we are seeing things. They happen but there is no public dialogue, the Community Engagement Forum (CEF) of this community alone does not engage the community.