JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The Chamber of Mines (CoM) has, on behalf of its members, expressed its condolences to the families of South Africans and foreign nationals that have died or been displaced as a result of the ongoing xenophobic attacks, committing in a statement that member companies would continue to provide a safe working environment, as espoused in the country’s laws.

According to the chamber, the South African mining industry had developed as a result of the work of skilled and unskilled citizens from the Southern African Development Community and other countries.

“We are deeply embarrassed, as the leadership of the mining industry, that, as a nation, we can resort to such barbaric acts, given the history of discrimination and segregation that we as South Africans come from.

“We urge our fellow compatriots to express their valid concerns using the marvellous and functioning institutions that our government has put in place to deal with citizens’ complaints,” said CoM president Mike Teke.

The chamber’s comments followed the condemnation of recent violence against foreign nationals by government in a post-Cabinet meeting statement, released earlier on Friday.

“While noting the issues raised by communities, violence towards another fellow human being can never solve these issues. Rather, it reflects badly on us as a people, going against the very ideals and foundations of our democracy.

“South Africa fought against colonialism and Apartheid alongside fellow Africans so that all humanity [on] our continent should be respected and treated with dignity,” it stated.
Cabinet added that the outbreak of violence would also have far-reaching implications on the country’s continental and international economic and social relations.