Oversight needed in marine diamond mining sector

Committee calls for urgent oversight visit to Alexkor

SOUTH AFRICA: The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources has resolved to conduct an urgent oversight visit to Alexkor following a sitting this week that included a briefing from the Equitable Access Campaign (EAC) highlighting allegations of maladministration and corruption in the State Owned Enterprise (SOE).

The EAC, which consists of small-scale marine diamond miners who were contracted to Alexkor, has petitioned the National Assembly to request parliaments intervention in the allegations.

The campaign petitioned the NA Speaker to request Parliament’s intervention in addressing the alleged wrongdoings at Alexkor. The Speaker then referred the petition to the committee for further processing.

The EAC maintains that public hearings into the state capture at Alexkor were shut down to “prevent the truth being shared with the public”.

“The emergency oversight will form part of the fact-finding mission to deepen our understanding on the complexities around Alexkor’s operation, governance, as well as the alleged maladministration, unfair business practices and corruption,” said Mikateko Mahlaule, the committee chairperson.

The EAC, which was established by members of the small scale marine mining community almost exactly 15 years ago, aims to provide justice to the victims of the alleged corruption at the diamond mining company.

In their 119-page presentation to the committee, the EAC maintain that state capture has resulted in “the decimation of a once vibrant and unique seafaring heritage”.

The committee, who have sought to undertake an oversight visit for some time, has now tabled the visit as an urgent matter.