POOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE 'Community in the hell'

Constitution of the republic of south afraca under the bill of rights makes provision that" everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmfull to their health or wellbeing and to have the environment protected for the benefit of present and future generation,through reasonable legislative and other measures that prevent pollution and ecological degradation".

Residents of gapila/sterkwater are not being realised this provision by the constitution as their environment continue to be affected by the dumping of the sewage'mantle' 500 metre away from the community by the service provider entered into contract with mogalakwena local municipality for septic tank maintanance.

I found out that sterkwater community in the past and present complained about the location of the septic tanks blockage and revealing unpleasant odour.community alleged that angloplatinum allocated R186 million initialy for the construction of general basic infrastructure for the gapila village relocation.the sewage system is erected,but is not funtioning.

The community presently complaining about the service provider who digged a huge hole for the dumping of the drained sewage'mantle' out of the septic tanks,in the middle of two dam providing entire community with water.community is in fear that the sewage will contaminate the water and artmosphere that provide society with oxygen.

I met an old man who complained and claim for compesation for his livestock to drank the stinking sewage green water.futhermore residents alleged that water consumption of this community is exposed to danger,because the sewage will flows into underground water as community depend on resevoir.

As a community monitoring activist,i commend that my community is being disrespected both by anglo platinum mine and mogalakwena local municipality,because this village is poor and black.
Community call upon angloplatinum as a relocation sponsor to consider the state of health of this victimised community before condition deteriorating badly.

By Daniel 'mdanzo' Maphoto

GA -PILA/STERKWATER COMMUNITY MARCH TO ANGLOPLATINUM

On the 24/10/2011 community of gapila/sterkwater marched and handed over the grievances and demands memorandum to angloplatinum mine,formerly was potgietersrus platinum limited of which presently renamed mogalakwena mine.

The march started at ga-sebatsane place from 09h00 at old gapila used to be bus station several years ago before relocation.The mokopane traffic and mahwelereng police were accompanied the mass of up to 1500 residents showing concern about written placats and white flag written reconciliation as a sign of community togetherness and defitting section 21 company divide and rule association."said by community leader Mr Rabalao".

The memorandum was read by Mr Ledwaba as community representative and handed over to mine represantatives by Headman'Induna'Pila with the eyewitnessed of five community representatives leading the march.

The project manager signed the memorandum and agreed to the time frame of 14 days to respond.
The march was peacefull but shocking as the community mass were holding an artwork red coffin written with bold black letter saying"We demand the angloplatinum to witness the burey of gapila section 21 company".i found that only Thobela fm we there and leaders complained about unavailable of several media as they initialy promised.

Residends told that they dont want mining company telling them what they intend to do on their forebears land,because mine empoverished them living on untold mineral wealth in their former old gapila village'Vaalkop'.

I found out clearly that the march was special and defferent as my obsevation revealed that it was the funeral of gapila association incorporated under section 21 company,by the coffin that were left at the main gate of the mine after the march despurse.

By Daniel 'mdanzo' maphoto