Lesetlheng village takes mine to court

Another rural community is poised to mount a court battle for land rights against a mining company this week.

Wilgespruit farm in North West, on which Pilanesberg Platinum Mine operates, is at the centre of the dispute that began in 2008. Lawyers for Human Rights, representing the Lesetlheng village community, will on Thursday approach the North West High Court to argue that the mine’s activities be halted.

Sedibelo Platinum owns Pilanesberg Platinum Mine. The applicants want full possession, occupation and use of the farm, as well as for the company to remove fencing and restore water access.

Louise du Plessis, head of housing and land at the advocacy group, said the community bought Wilgespruit in 1919 when discriminatory policies were still in force, meaning that the property was registered in the state’s name — which, in turn, held it in trust for the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela community.

In 2008, the Lesetlheng village community was told its tribal authority had acquired mining rights on Wilgespruit and that it was a surface occupier. Despite this development, the community continued farming on the land.

However, the community was not treated as the rightful owner of the land, said Ms du Plessis.

Shortly after the rights announcement, the mine began fencing off parts of the farm and removing vegetation, which resulted in the community’s water access being cut off. The mine also dispatched guards to the property.

In October the advocacy group issued a letter of demand that the mine cease these activities, and while the company complied, activities resumed in March.

Court action would proceed this week, Ms du Plessis said.

Leigh King, of Russell and Associates, said on Friday the matter was sub judice, and that the company would be in a position to respond later this week.