Ministers subpoenaed over Xolobeni
Publish date: 22 April 2008
Issue Number: 57
Diary: Legalbrief Environmental
Category: Corruption
Three government Ministers have been subpoenaed to appear before the SA Human Rights Commission (HRC) to account for allegations of human rights violations in the proposed multi-billion rand mining development in Xolobeni, near Bizana.
A Daily Dispatch report says that Minerals and Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk and Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Lulama Xingwana were subpoenaed to appear before the Commission on 22 April. HRC CEO advocate Tseliso Thipanyane warned last week that if the three Ministers failed to appear they could face criminal charges for violating the Commissions Human Rights Act. Australias Mineral Commodities, its South African subsidiary Transworld Energy and Mineral Resources, and BEE partner Xolobeni Empowerment Company have applied to mine pristine dunes at Xolobeni, south of Port Edward. Full Daily Dispatch report
