The operations of the multi-billion mine of the Rio Tinto-owned Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast could be affected again.
This is after the chieftaincy dispute in the Mbuyazi clan flared up again on Friday and RBM was dragged into the matter.
On March 7, a group of protestors from the clan which owns the land where the mine is operating marched to Rio Tinto’s offices and delivered a memorandum with 10 demands. The protestors said the demands should be met within 14 working days.
Chief among the demands is that Sithembile Makhize Mbonambi be crowned as Inkosi (Chief) with immediate effect or the zult south should not be opened.
“We demand the investors not to open the zult south in the absence of our chief, Sithembile Makhize Mbuyazi… We need RBM to ensure us that within 14 working days they must bring back the goods news that Makhize Mbuyazi will be throned within March if not so, we would be applying the shutdown of RBM with all its structures until favourable date is given to us,” reads part of the memorandum.
RBM mines zircon, rutile, ilmenite, and other minerals from the area. These minerals are used in several products including paint, sunscreen, and smartphones.
The protestors also demanded that RBM must install security cameras all over KwaMbonambi area in order to help in the fight against rampant crime in the area.
They also demanded that the mining giant must provide them with free electricity, which is part of their benefits for its mining activities.
“We demand residential verification of employees whether they belong to the area or not. We demand that the community benefits from the company at 70% for the community (sic),” further reads the memorandum.
The spokesperson of the mine, Nelisiwe Masina confirmed that they have received the memorandum.
“We confirm receipt of the memorandum. Given that many concerns raised relate to chieftaincy matters, which are outside of RBM’s direct scope, we will provide a response on RBM-specific issues in due course.”
A few years back the mine was forced to close down due to the same chieftaincy dispute. It was about to disinvest when the then Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikalala, intervened and saved the day.
