Residents of mining towns welcome groups' intervention

Residents of small mining towns of Emalahleni and Ophondweni in KwaZulu-Natal, who are accusing a mining firm of putting their lives in danger have commended environmentalists and human rights advocacy groups for assisting them to take the matter to court.

- Masoka Dube

Community leader Israel Nkosi, told The Citizen that with Tendele Coal Mine conducting its blasting, their houses were cracking and they had lost livestock as grazing land had been damaged.

He said the chemical particles and the coal had polluted the water, endangering the lives of people and animals drinking from the affected wells and streams.

"Our community environmental group has garnered the support of activists and human rights advocacy groups to file the court papers to stop mining activities. It is not the first time we are fighting against this firm. About five years ago we took it to court and, although we won the case, it appealed and the court ruled in its favour and it started operating again."