Kriel, Mpumalanga – Residents of Aangewys Farm have accused Wakefield Colliery Mine of failing to honor agreements made before mining operations began, leaving families in deteriorating living conditions with unfulfilled promises of relocation and employment.
Broken Promises and Growing Frustration
The mine, which arrived in the area in 2019, allegedly assured 14 families that they would be moved to better housing and prioritized for jobs in exchange for allowing mining activities on their ancestral land. However, since operations began in December 2023, residents say none of these commitments have been met.
“They told us they would relocate us because they found coal here, but now they claim they can’t find land to build houses,” said one resident. “For two years, we’ve been waiting while dust from the mine covers our homes, and water from their dam seeps into our houses.”
The community, which still lacks electricity and relies on a communal water tank, says the mine has brought only hardship. “We don’t see any benefits—just noise, dust, and water flooding our homes,” another resident added. “Not a single promise has been kept.”
Mine Denies Allegations, Pledges Action
Wakefield Colliery Mine has denied abandoning its commitments, stating that plans for relocation and employment are still underway. A mine representative said, “We are committed to building houses for the 14 affected families as soon as we secure stands from the municipality. In the meantime, we have agreed to rent alternative accommodation for them.”
The mine also claimed it would employ some residents in upcoming projects around the farm and vowed to continue consultations with the community.
Residents Demand Justice
Frustrated by delays, some residents now want the mine to leave entirely. “This mine is not helping us—it’s destroying us,” said one resident. “It’s been too long. We’ve had enough.”
As tensions rise, the community is calling for immediate action, urging the mine and local authorities to address their grievances before conditions worsen further.
