Sibanye undeterred by protestors
Rustenburg – Sibanye Stillwater has urged members of the N4 Cluster Movement to raise their concerns by following proper channels of communication instead of disrupting traffic through unpredictable protest actions.
On Thursday 19 May, members of the movement blocked the N4 freeway between Majakaneng and Moonooi and marched to the mining company where they handed a memorandum of grievances. N4 Cluster Movement chairperson Solly Soka said the protest was held to push Sibanye to avail more employment opportunities for locals.
Public Order Police (POP) fired rubber bullets to maintain public order during a confrontation between members of the N4 Cluster Movement and another group attempting to prevent the march. Said police spokesperson brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone: “During the incident, one person was reportedly injured. A case of public violence has been registered for investigation and police are maintaining presence in the area.”
Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire, who were forced to close the N4 because of the protest at around 09h00, later issued a statement on Facebook to motorists at 15h55: “N4 has been re-opened both directions between Majakaneng and Mooinooi and is safe to travel.
Executive vice president investor relations and corporate affairs at Sibanye Stillwater James Wellsted refuted claims the mining company was overlooking members of the Majakaneng community when it comes to employment. “We have formally established community engagement structures with recognised representatives. This group is not a recognised community representative group.
They are free to follow protocol and raise their concerns through the established and agreed structures, but we believe there are personal motives behind this. We will not be intimidated or coerced in this way. We will continue to create value for all legitimate stakeholders through our actions,” Wellsted said. Wellsted said they had established a good working relationship with Majakaneng Unemployment Forum to make sure the majority of labour sourced is from the local communities.
Wellsted – who also cited the company’s Social and Labour Plan (SLP) projects as proof that Sibanye was committed towards improving the livelihoods of their host community – said the mining company is aiming to invest 1.5% of declared dividends in social upliftment projects.
Projects currently being implemented by Sibanye Stillwater as part of their SLP include the construction of the Majakaneng School sports fields and the extension of Majakaneng Clinic.
The mining company is also in the process of constructing the Marikana Community Health Centre (CHC).
