The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions in the North West Province condemns the attitude and conduct of the Local Government & Traditional Affairs MEC and the Department of Mining for deciding to cancel the request to carry out an investigation and inspection into illegal mining at Taung.

During the our visit to the mining site with the traditional leaders, we observed that the company concerned is one of the labour brokers and contractors that are undermining the Mine Health and Safety Act, the LRA and BCEA and the traditional leaders who are the owners of the land. Even worse is that the contracting company is led by Taung Councillors. The spokesperson is an independent councilor and there are four ANC councillors.

This company undermines the traditional leaders because the politicians who are public representatives and officials are capitalists. These councillors and politicians do not worry about the lives of the poor people, their children and their animals. The people of Taung have lost lives and animals due to a bore hole that was not closed after digging diamonds in the same area.

The land belongs to the residents of Baga Maidi le Baga Phuduhucwana, not to the Departments of Mining and Local Government. The only people who can give permits are the department and the traditional leaders, after consulting the communities. The undermining of the traditional leaders is led by the politicians. It is also on record that Baga Maidi le Baga Phuduhucwana took the matter to court in 2006-2008 and the order was issued in their favour.

COSATU demands an investigation into the re-issuing of illegal permits and an inspection on Health and Safety compliance. It was wrong of the MEC of Local Government to suspend or cancel the meeting we requested with the Department of Mining. We are the complainant on the matter against government.

Therefore COSATU demand that:
§ The Department of Mineral Resources do what we request them to do.
§ Those who are implicated in re-issuing the illegal permit must be investigated.
§ Neutral people from the department investigate the matter. Those who are close to councilors, the MEC and Provincial Government officials must not be part of the investigation.

COSATU represents organised and unorganised workers. Its objective is to save jobs and create real quality jobs. Decent work means that people or workers must enjoy their work. The mining industry in Taung must benefit the people of Taung with service delivery and development of their villages.

We call upon the Minister of Mining to act by investigating the matter. We call for all councillors, officials and MECs who are implicated to be investigated and they must be removed as public representative and remain as opportunist capitalists.

COSATU is busy mobilising protest action against the illegal mining, labour brokers, and for councillors who are capitalists to be removed.

The protest action will be directed to the municipality and the Ministers of Mining and Labour, and it will take place on 23 October 2009.

We have lost many lives with the illegal mining. Workers are employed under bad conditions and communities are undermined.

We call on the Taung police station to defend the public and stop intimidating the communities. The Taung Station Commissioner must do his work.

We demand that the investigation by the Department of Mining takes place before Friday 16 October 2009. If not COSATU will make sure that the meeting planned by MEC does not take place.