SEKHUKHUNE, LIMPOPO — The Bapedi Royal House has taken decisive legal and operational action to clamp down on illegal chrome mining in the Sekhukhune district of Limpopo, securing a High Court order to halt destructive operations and initiate large-scale land rehabilitation.
For years, the landscape along the R37 road near Atok, outside Burgersfort, has suffered severe degradation due to unregulated mining activities. Illegal excavators have left behind wide, gaping pits and dangerous underground shafts, placing nearby households at imminent risk of collapse. In one alarming instance, a local resident reported that illegal miners explicitly stated their family’s safety was not a primary concern as digging commenced near their home.
The danger extends to local educational facilities, with a preschool hosting 39 children situated precariously along the edge of an illegally mined pit. Although a protective wall was recently erected, community members remain deeply concerned about the safety of playful children who could accidentally fall into the hazardous excavations. Residents have welcomed the royal house’s intervention, noting that the rehabilitation process is vital for community safety, especially during heavy rains and floods, and will finally provide a safe environment for children.
To combat these threats, the Bapedi Royal House obtained a court order that effectively suspends previous mining licenses issued by the Department of Mineral Resources for the affected area. This landmark ruling grants the royal house direct control over the rehabilitation of the landscape. Kgoshi Maafeefee Thobejane, spokesperson for the Bapedi Kingdom, confirmed that while the current court order does not provide direct financial recourse for affected families, the kingdom is deeply committed to assisting those displaced or endangered by the mining activities.
Addressing the massive undertaking of restoring open pits, steep slopes, and hazardous trenches, Kgoshi Thobejane explained that the kingdom has appointed a team of environmentalists to guide the soil recovery process. The ultimate goal is to return the land to productive use, such as grazing or farming. To help fund this extensive rehabilitation, the court order permits environmentalists to sell certain abandoned materials found on-site to recover costs. This will be supplemented by the kingdom’s coffers and partnerships with community stakeholders.
The royal house also plans to engage proactively with the government to ensure that mining rights are eventually returned to the communities. The long-term vision includes establishing small-scale mining operations, backed by proper training and funding from various sources, including the government, to empower local residents safely and legally. Kgoshi Thobejane emphasized that this is not a political fight, but a critical battle for the safety of the people.
Enforcement on the ground has already yielded tangible results. Since the launch of the operation, more than 50 illegal chrome miners have been arrested by law enforcement. To further deter illegal mining syndicates, often referred to as “zama zamas,” the Bapedi Kingdom has commissioned private security services. Kgoshi Thobejane noted that this private security force is working in tandem with the South African Police Service (SAPS), providing a sufficient and capable deterrent to protect vulnerable communities while the rehabilitation process unfolds.
While the current court order carries certain limitations, the Bapedi Royal House is actively working to finalize and expand its scope in the near future. For now, the immediate priority remains the urgent restoration of the environment and the protection of the community, reversing years of neglect and ensuring the land is safe for future generations.
