South African Communist Party Northern Cape Province Press Statement on De Beers
27 August 2012
The SACP in the Northern Cape supports efforts by the people of the Northern Cape particularly by the broader Kimberley Community to claim legitimate compensation for the injustices perpetrated by De Beers against the people an the environment.
Despite the fact that Kimberley, the Northern Cape and workers are responsible for the wealth of the Oppenheimers there is absolutely nothing significant that De Beers has done for the people as a good legacy.
Kimberley and the Northern Cape were denied the opportunity to host the historic soccer world cup amongst others because Kimberley does not even have a suitable stadium. The least De Beers could have done before running away and abdicating Responsibility was to build a stadium and a multi-sports facility..
De Beerss employees who were retrenched as a result of profit maximization policies live under abject poverty and squalor whilst the bosses have money, wealth and resources for generations to come..
Many former De Beers Workers have died prematurely as a result of deceases contracted in the mines..
De Beers has brought nothing but misery to the workers and the poor of our Province for over a century of
plundering the mineral wealth of our country, province and city..
De Beers profit driven production at its dumps behind Colville and Floors has recently being spewing its waste in the atmosphere causing deceases amongst the community of Colville and Floors. Because of inhuman capitalist accumulation path and profit maximization they have recklessly and unsustainably caused irreparable harm to the environment incapable of recognizing the crisis as they just dont care..
Many people lost their lives in Otters kopje Mine in Galeshewe that was left unrehabilitated for many years..
The SACP would like to call for an investigation regarding rates and taxes that are allegedly owed to the Sol-Plaatje municipality, amounting to billions of rands..
If they are to improve their bad public image in the mining communities they must compensate for all human and environmental destruction they have caused through many decades of mining in our land..
Issued by: -
South African Communist Party Northern Cape Provincial Executive Committee.
For more information contact:
Tshepo Footsoldier Mogorosi at 073 094 6027 or
footsoldiermogorosi@gmail.com
