Mining portfolio committee responds to Macua’s allegations

The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources (PCMPR) has denied allegations that the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) was excluded from the recent oversight discussion in Mpumalanga.

Macua criticised the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) and claimed that the exclusion came shortly after it had written to the PCMPR on February 14 and accused DMPR of providing Parliament with false and misleading information that distorts the realities faced by mining-affected communities. 

The organisation also reported a possible criminal offence to the committee against DMPR last year for allegedly providing misleading information in parliament.

This was after the committee recently conducted oversight visits to mining companies in the Nkangala region and engaged with labour unions and community members to discuss various issues relating to the sector, including operations, compliance and challenges, as well as the mines’ adherence to social and labour plans (SLPs).

Macua said its exclusion was not an accident but an attempt by 'elected officials to silence the voices of mining-affected communities while continuing to protect the interests of the mining elite'. 

The organisation said the failure of the committee to notify it, despite its formal request for engagement, exposes the continued disregard for the democratic participation of those who suffer the consequences of mining-related injustices.

The organisation said it made it clear that DMPR has consistently downplayed corporate non-compliance, the environmental destruction caused by mining, and the dire conditions of informal and artisanal miners.

However, PCMPR said the allegations were unfounded and misleading. 

The committee chairperson, Mikateko Golden Mahlaule, said the fact that Macua did not know or attend the visits does not mean that the committee excluded communities. 

Mahlaule said the committee always reiterates to Macua that they are not the only stakeholder in the mining industry and they cannot, therefore, get special attention from the committee.

Mahlaule added that Macua must follow the Parliament and committee programme like other stakeholders.

“Committee activities are publicly available – this is how other stakeholders keep abreast of the work of the Committee and Parliament. During the 6th Administration, Macua was advised by the erstwhile Portfolio Committee of Mineral Resources and Energy that they consider having a Parliamentary Liaison Officer as it became apparent that they were not abreast of the work and plans of the committee.”

“Issues regarding implementation of SLPs and the review of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) are at the centre of the Committee discussions and plans. If Macua had a Parliamentary Liaison Officer, they would have known about these plans and discussions, said Mahlaule, adding that the committee always encourages the organisation to familiarise itself with the announcement, tabling and committee (ATC) report documents that are publicly available."

In tits presentation, the DMPR presented a report to the committee indicating that 534 SLPs projects were completed between 2019 and 2024, with mining companies investing an estimated R2.5 billion.

However, in its letter issued September 2, 2024, Macua said that despite receiving multiple reports showing the failings, the DMPR continued to accept and present industry data without verification, misinforming parliament and failing to enforce compliance with MPRDA. 

Mahlaule said the department responded to the committee on December 4, 2024, 2024, and clarified that the figures presented were based on the achieved planned annual target for the year in question, as this is reflected in the annual report of the department. 

“The response of the department was sent to Macua. However, Macua was not happy with the response and insisted that the committee should have investigated the matter and not relied on the response of the department. 

We did not take the matter forward because we were satisfied with the response,” Mahlaule said.

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za