Mayor acts as 'gatekeeper' between mines, residents

A Mpumalanga mayor is under fire for allegedly blocking communication between the community and the mining firms in the area.

- Masoka Dube

Mbuso Magubane, Chief Albert Luthuli mayor, reportedly established the Carolina mining committee to represent the community, without the involvement of the community leaders.

It is alleged that the structure serves as the gatekeeper between the mining firms and residents.

Yesterday, Makhaza Ntuli, a leader of the Carolina Community Forum, said the committee comprised businesspeople and government officials, and reported directly to the mayor's office.

Ntuli was concerned that this would enable mining companies to ignore their Social Labour Plan responsibilities because no-one would hold them accountable.

"There is a new mine in the area and we sent a letter to the management asking to meet and discuss the jobs and business opportunities the operation will bring to the local communities."

"To our surprise, the mayor responded to the letter instead of the mining firm's management. He told us he was not available for a meeting and he did not indicate when he would be available."