A MARCH that was supposed to be peaceful ended in total chaos near Sibanye-Stillwater mine offices outside Rustenburg in North West.
War between two groups erupted as the N4 Cluster Movement were about to hand over their memorandum of demands.
Members of the N4 Cluster Movement were marching to Sibanye-Stillwater mine when a group of unidentified people wearing EFF regalia attacked them.
It is alleged that the group was protecting the mine. The two groups threw stones at each other. Police fired rubber bullets to dispense the crowd.
N4 Cluster Movement chairman, Solly Soka, said the march was planned to voice out the community’s concerns of employment inequity at Sibanye-Stillwater.
Soka said Sibanye-Stillwater mine has failed to develop host communities.
“We want jobs, business opportunities and skills development,” he said.
Marchers closed the N4 road the entire day and motorists were forced to use alternative routes.
The march started from Majakaneng Village earlier in the morning.
Sibanye-Stillwater’s Executive Vice President: Stakeholder Relations, Thabisile Phumo, said the march was apparently linked to matters of employment, recruitment practices and opportunities for local businesses.
Phumo said they have formal engagement forums with recognised community representative groups.
She said they regularly meet with these forums and update them about their activities.
“This group is not a recognised community representatives group.
“We assist government to alleviate poverty and unemployment and grow local economies close to our operations.
“The claim from the cluster is unfounded and incorrect,” she said.
North West Police spokesman, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, confirmed that the police fired rubber
bullets to maintain public order.
Mokgwabone said a case of public violence has been registered for investigation.
Police are maintaining presence in the area.
