DA Members of Parliament (MPs), Ghaleb Cachalia and Veronica van Dyk, are demanding clarity from Gordhan on the appointment of Leilani Swartbooi as the acting GM of the Pooling and Sharing Joint Venture (PSJV) between Alexkor SOC and the Richtersveld Mining Company (RMC) in the Alexander Bay area. According to Cachalia and Van Dyk, Swartbooi was previously the Environmental Manager at the diamond mine and recently began acting in the top job ever since her predecessor – Deon Bowers - went missing in action. Not only is it not known where Bowers is presently, but Swartbooi is a controversial figurehead at the mine.

“Her appointment has raised eyebrows as it was reportedly under Ms Swartbooi’s watch that the controversial cofferdams, which caused extensive environmental damage along the Northern Cape coast, were built. The building of these dams are now being criminally investigated,” says Cachalia and Van Dyk in their statement. 

In December 2021, OFM News reported that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is investigating allegations of maladministration at Alexkor. According to the SIU, President Cyril Ramaphosa greenlit the SIU to investigate maladministration allegations in respect of marketing, valuation, sale, and beneficiation of diamonds, pursuant to agreements concluded between Alexkor and service providers. The proclamation was authorised by the SIU to probe dealings at the Road Accident Fund (RAF), Overstrand Local Municipality, and Alexkor.

READ MORE: SIU to probe Alexkor

OFM News’ numerous enquiries regarding Alexkor, dating back to 2021, to the entity and the Department of Public Enterprises, remain unanswered to date.

Background: In 2003, the Supreme Court of Appeal delivered a landmark judgment that restored the Richtersveld Community’s right to the mineral resources of the land and ordered that Alexkor must compensate the people for damage done. Following this, a pooling and sharing joint venture between the community and the mine was formed.

OFM News