A PLANNED indefinite shutdown that would have blocked access to major roads leading into Postmasburg from the Griekwastad and Kuruman roads on Thursday has been temporarily averted, pending discussions with relevant stakeholders.

Tsantsabane Unemployed Business Forum (TUBF) chairperson Michael Mabilo confirmed that the shutdown has been suspended to allow a meeting with the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) in Kimberley on March 6 to address their concerns.

He stated that while the forum had initially requested DMR officials to meet with all mine managers in Postmasburg on Thursday, they were informed last week that the officials were unable to travel due to “cost restrictions”.

“Only two mining operations out of a total of 36 mines in Postmasburg are employing the local workforce. The DMR must force all mines to comply with their social labour plans to grow the local economy and ensure that small, micro and medium enterprises are given a percentage of the jobs,” Mabilo said.

He warned that unemployment in the area was fuelling crime.

“Workers migrated to the area in search of work on the mines. Those who were retrenched have remained in Postmasburg and have to find a means of survival.”

He criticised the provincial government for remaining silent and for failing to intervene.

“The ANC needs funding for their programmes and political campaigns ahead of the local government elections,” he said.

Office of the Premier spokesperson Naledi Gaosekwe said the Northern Cape provincial government was committed to ensuring that the people of the province benefitted from its resources.

“A number of meetings were held with the mines and on public platforms. Regular meetings are held with the Minerals Council to ensure that our communities benefit from mining activities across the province,” said Gaosekwe.

She pleaded with communities not to enforce a shutdown but to rather engage in constructive dialogue.

“Provincial government, and the Office of the Premier in particular, is always open for engagement with any aggrieved party.

“The allegation that the mines are contributing towards the ANC election campaign is incorrect and unfortunate. As a matter of fact, the premier does not deal with funding for the ANC. As a matter of principle, there are measures set in place to disclose any political party funding,” Gaosekwe said.

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Massive shutdown averted — for now