Legacy of post mining in Mpumalanga

Nomanzi Mtshweni

By: Nomanzi Mtshweni

Legacy of post mining in Mpumalanga
Illegal mining has become a significant problem in EMalahleni Witbank, these informal miners
occupy closed or operational mines using rudimentary tools and explosives to extract valuable
resources close to our communities. Vosman and the nearby locations around EMalahleni.
The fight against Illegal mining requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the root
cause of poverty, unemployment, inequality and environmental issues, by working together the
government, mining companies and communities can develop sustainable solutions to solve this
problem.
Illegal mining activities can disrupt communities’ life around EMalahleni we suffer from mining
blasting because our houses get cracks, TVs fall and most of our furniture gets damaged and
who’s going to pay for that? Air pollution, water pollution, child labour, women getting
miscarriages and no one hears our cry, they’re only focusing on profit. What is happening in our
town is very cruel and disturbing to think that our leaders and the so-called government plus
community structure knows about this issue but they are turning a blind eye and it’s really
frustrating.
Local governments and the so-called structures that portray themselves as working for the
community are silenced by the brown envelopes, benefiting from all these illegal activities.
People get killed and are dumped on that site, some are kidnapped and end up being dumped
there. Women and children are raped on these man-made mountains that are left behind by the
mines after they got what they wanted and left the land like that without rehabilitation.
EMalahleni fm news even wrote an article about the four bodies that were found there; some
were even burnt. The painful part of all these mines is also close to a (TB) hospital named
SANTA.
Legacy of abandoned mines and lack of rehabilitation, limited resources and capacity for law
enforcement, need for Community engagement and alternative livelihood. Water pollution, acid
mine drainage and heavy metal pollution contaminated water sources, posing risks to human
health and livestock because they usually go to the streams to drink water. Loss of humans
because these miners often work in hazardous conditions leading to accidents and fatalities.
Some of our Community members got there looking for greener pastures but they ended up not
coming back home due to the sink holes.