North West province family says Implats owes millions due to unfair use of land

A family in South Africa’s North West province is seeking millions of rand in damages from Impala Platinum (Implats), claiming that the company has used its land for 36 years with zero compensation.

The land is reportedly worth ZAR 40 million (USD 4.61 million). The Motsuenyane family lives nearby the land, without water or electricity.

The family’s piece of land rests on the Wildebeestfontein farm, which belongs to the estate of Priscilla Motsuenyane. While she died in 1963, her heirs filed an appeal in 2011 with the mineral resources minister in an attempt to sideline Implats’ mining rights for the land.

A decision on the case is still being awaited. The family is currently preparing a separate damages claim against the company.

Implats has meanwhile denied any claims of wrongdoing, maintaining that it has followed the correct procedures since mining was launched in the late 1970s.

Source (English): Independent Online