KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi has pledged decisive intervention in ongoing disputes between mining companies and traditional leaders in the Amajuba District.
The commitment follows concerns raised by Amakhosi over mining companies operating without adequately consulting traditional leadership and local communities.
Buthelezi recently convened a stakeholder meeting with traditional leaders in Dannhauser, where Amakhosi outlined a range of concerns relating to irresponsible mining activities across the region.
The meeting, attended by all local Amakhosi and led by iNkosi Zwane, was called to address what traditional leaders described as serious governance failures by mining companies operating within traditional jurisdictions.
The Amajuba District, which comprises Newcastle, Dannhauser and eMadlangeni, is a major coal-mining region.
During the engagement, traditional leaders said mining companies frequently commence operations without informing or consulting them, leaving Amakhosi unable to respond to questions from community members seeking accountability.
Inkosi Malambule Gule argued that traditional leaders should be recognised as formal stakeholders in the mining licensing process.
"No mining licences should be issued without explicit consultation with the local iNkosi," Gule said.
Gule also emphasised the urgent need to address the environmental degradation caused by unregulated mining activities.
Amakhosi further called for strengthened unity among traditional leaders and appealed to the MEC to assist in securing agricultural support, saying limited access to resources has hindered their ability to promote community farming initiatives despite their willingness to do so.
Responding to the concerns, Buthelezi expressed deep concern over the current situation, noting that existing agreements with mining companies were failing to deliver meaningful benefits to traditional councils or local communities.
“It is unacceptable that mining companies extract wealth from the land while leaving the traditional council and the community with nothing. We need total unity among Amakhosi and must actively discourage associations that seek to divide the traditional leadership,” the MEC said.
Buthelezi also called for long-term structural and legislative reforms to protect the institution of traditional leadership.
He committed to convening a comprehensive follow-up meeting involving all Amakhosi in the Amajuba District, relevant family structures, mining companies and government stakeholders to chart a transparent and legally binding framework for future engagement. – SAnews.gov.za
