Parliament,Thursday, 23 November 2017 – The Portfolio Committeeon Mineral Resources has advised the Department of Mineral Resources to play arole in the class act case by 30 000 former mine workers against 82 goldmines.
The Committee made the statement yesterday, following a briefing by Lawyers representing ex-mineworkers suffering from lung diseases and silicosis.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Sahlulele Luzipo, said although he understood the seriousness of the case, he underestimated its complexity.
“It is concerning that political guidance is missing and this case has been dragging on for four years now. The reality is that people will eventually complain to Parliament when things go wrong,” said Mr Luzipo.
The Committee has noted that although the case started in 2012, the high court only granted authorisation to proceed in May 2016, but the decision has since been taken on appeal with the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Lastly, the Committee will reconvene next week on Wednesday (29 November) to get a briefing from the Deputy Minister of the Department of Mineral Resources, Mr Godfrey Oliphant, on the extent to which the department is playing a role in the case.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON MINERAL RESOURCES, MR SAHLULELE LUZIPO
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the Committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Mr JusticeMolafo
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Cell: 081 4247481
Email: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
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