The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) can with justification now be referred to as the Dictator of Mineral Resources. Since the DMR’s sudden departure from the labour, business and government tripartite arrangement, nobody can get anything out of it, not even Parliament. It is hell-bent on becoming a treasury clone, imposing new levies left, right and centre and gazetting its way into law. The DMR has told Parliament there will be another Mining Charter gazetting before year-end. Will someone please strip these uncivil servants of their dictatorial apparel?