MINERS who had been illegally carrying out operations at Peace
Mine in Silobela were on Tuesday evicted from the mine by the Sheriff of the
High Court with the assistance of the police who have since sealed off the
mine.
Heavily armed support unit police officers moved in and
evicted everyone from the mine and threw out their equipment including hammer
mills and transformers.
The illegal miners operating under the banner of Silobela
Community Ownership Trust led by Ms Sibusisiwe Moyo who claims to be the
rightful owner of the claim, had been involved in a wrangle with Chief Sigodo
(real name Appollo Mhlope) over the ownership of the mine.
Ms Moyo claimed the traditional leader wanted to abuse his
authority to illegally grab the mine claiming it was benefiting the whole
community.
Despite the High Court ruling in favour of Chief Sigodo and
ordering the illegal miners to vacate the mine, the miners kept conducting
operations, going against the order. Silobela Member of Parliament Cde
Mthokozisi Manoki Mpofu confirmed the sheriff moved in and removed all the people
and equipment from the mine. The eviction order dated 4 April 2019, ordered the
removal of Ms Moyo and her team from the mine to pave way for the peaceful
entrance of Chief Sigodo into the mine.
About 40 hammer mills and transformers were part of the
equipment moved out by the sheriff.
Ms Moyo could not be reached for comment. Contacted for
comment, Chief Sigodo said, going forward, the Ministry of Mines and Mining
Development will have to carry out an assessment first before giving a go ahead
for resumption of mining activities. Sunday News
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