The National Union of Mine workers (NUM) believes that unemployment, a lack of opportunities in beneficiation of minerals and other business interests might be behind the conflicts between mining companies and the communities in which they operate in Sekhukhune in Limpopo.
Several communities have been involved in violent protests, demanding jobs and tenders from local mines.
Six mine workers were killed when a bus they were travelling in was petrol-bombed at Driekop near Burgersfort last week.
Limpopo NUM Spokesperson, Phillip Mankge says, “These tensions between the mines and the communities is something that has started a long time ago. We can confirm the issues with regard to unemployment that communities are complaining about. Number two is the issue regarding the mining charter beneficiation number three is the issue regarding empowering local business people and if they’re not addressed we’ll still be having a very same incidents.”
