GOOD Statement by Lloyd Phillips,
GOOD Councillor & Chair of Chairs in The City of Johannesburg
17 January 2024
GOOD Councillor in the City of Johannesburg, Lloyd Phillips, has persuaded a giant mining company to clean up its mess that was threatening to over-run a local primary school.
The legacy of mining across Johannesburg continues to severely impact surrounding communities, threatening their health and safety, while mining companies and local governments neglect their responsibilities.
In one of the most recent cases, pupils at Slovoville Primary were subjected to increasingly dangerous conditions at the school which was opened in 2014 by then MEC of Education Panyaza Lesufi.
Apart from dealing with constant dust from the ongoing work, a small trench used for the mining activities by Harmony Gold eventually developed into a massive mining dam, causing major health and safety problems.
The walls and floors of classrooms were constantly soaked in the moist from the dam, slowly destroying the integrity of the buildings. The water submerged the football field which forced the school to abandon it. There was also a stench arising from the dam making the living conditions even more unbearable.
In October, Cllr Phillips, in his capacity as the Chair of Chairs in the City of Joburg, led members of the Section 79 Committees to an oversight visit to the school following complaints by the local community.
After the Gauteng Provincial Education Department said it was contemplating relocating learners amid attempts to find a solution, Cllr Phillips appealed to stakeholders to rather explore all possible measures to save the school instead of completely leaving it in ruins.
This school is an integral part of the community which is located in one of the poorest areas in the city with very limited resources.
A decision was therefore taken to intervene immediately and write to the relevant role players.
GOOD is pleased that the mining company in question is already taking action to correct the situation.
We will continue to ensure that those who neglect their responsibility are held accountable.
Harmony Gold reported that 70 percent of the water associated with the flooding at Slovoville Primary was drained. The company has also committed to closing the trenches to ensure the safety of pupils upon return to the new schooling year.
GOOD’s efforts in dealing with mining legacies in Johannesburg have already paid off in areas such as Riverlea, where the office of the president intervened last year to address crime linked to activities of illegal mining in the area.
We will continue to hold mining companies and relevant government departments accountable to ensure that a proper rehabilitation of former mining towns takes place as provided for by the law.
Media Enquiries:
Lloyd Phillips, GOOD Councillor & Chair of Chairs in The City of Johannesburg
Cell: 074 731 7578
Email: lloydp04@gmail.com
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 073 367 1223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za