Local News
Harmony confirms Welkom land grab─── CHRISTAL-LIZE MULLER 12:21 Mon, 19 Mar 2018
Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd has confirmed land grabbing at a property owned by the company in Welkom, Free State. Investor Relations Manager, Lauren Fourie, says Harmony is aware of the situation and is not ignoring it as it is a sensitive issue.
She told OFM News a legal team from Harmony is engaging with the Matjhabeng Municipality in an effort to resolve the issue in the best manner possible. She says they’re taking all stakeholders into account.
This comes after OFM News received information on social media of what seems to be a few hundred people who invaded the property in Wards 11 and 13, and aimed to erect structures. Police spokesperson, Stephen Thakeng, says police are monitoring the situation in Ward 13 in the outskirts of Welkom. He also confirmed representatives of Harmony and the municipality are engaged in talks. According to him, no-one has been removed from Harmony’s property at this stage.
No cases have been opened yet.
Photos of the invasion are being distributed on social media, with the comments: “The people shall govern”; “Expropriation of land without compensation in Ward 11 in Action”; and “Peoples Power”.
The municipality could not be reached for comment.
OFM News
