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The Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources has advised the Department of Mineral Resources to play a role in the class act case by 30 000 former mine workers against 82 gold mines.

The Committee made the statement yesterday, following a briefing by Lawyers representing ex-mine workers 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, Sahlulele Luzipo