JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Mineral Resources Minister Advocate Ngoako Ramatlhodi has appealed for calm in Steelpoort, Sekhukhune, following protests in the area over the past few days.
The protests had resulted in, besides others, disruptions in the operations of the mines in the area.
“The right of people to protest is protected by our Constitution. However, we condemn acts of violence and intimidation associated with the protests and appeal for calm by all concerned,” Ramatlhodi said in a statement.
The Minister would pay a visit to the area on Tuesday, accompanied by senior members of local government, to establish the reasons for the protests and to find lasting solutions to the concerns raised.
Department of Mineral Resources spokesperson Phuti Mabelebele said investigations into which mines had been affected were ongoing, but that the number of mines disrupted had increased from two on Monday morning to five in the afternoon.
She added that the community and mines had asked for Ramatlhodi’s intervention, but could not say why the protests had erupted.