By OBAKENG MAJE
9 October 2024- The residents of Dryharts village in Taung, call for a remedial action against allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the R6 million donation. According to one of the community leaders, Goitsione Matubako, eight years back, the Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg, donated R6 million to the community for the construction of a sports facility.
Matubako said, however, the sporting facility could not be built because there was no tribal resolution from the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority regarding the land. He alleged that a few months ago, their ward councillor, Kagiso Pudule, convened a community meeting and suggested that the money be utilised.
“So, we agreed that the money should build a school. However, the idea was rejected by the Sekate Boijane school, as they alleged that the North West Department of Education promised to build them a school.
“Then, we agreed that some of the money will be used to renovate the Dryharts clinic. Indeed, that happened, but as community members, we were kept in the dark during the process,” he said.
Matubako further said there are now allegations that R1.8 million is missing. He added that, when he requested Pudule to account, he became arrogant and treated them as if they had leprosy.
“Accountability is essential and will go a long way towards giving the people of Dryharts deserved answers to what became of the money meant to drive development in their area.
“There was machinery that was bought, but there is no place to put them. The alleged missing R1.8m was supposed to build two roomed for it. So, there is concerning evidence of corruption that undermined efforts to bring development to the residents,” said Matubako.
Cagey Pudule refused to comment.
Meanwhile, the Impala Platinum Mine Group Head: Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Alice Lourens said: “Please note that Impala Platinum Mine cannot confirm any allegations regarding the missing money. However, we have committed to the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy (DMRE) to construct a community hall, but the project was replaced with an access road and capacitation of the Dryharts clinic.
“This change was a joint decision between Impala, the DMRE and the community. The parties could not identify the required land for the construction of the community hall, but also established through engagements that a community hall was built through other means, meaning Impala could do a pre placement project.”
Lourens said the committed budget of R4 million was used to construct an access road and capacitation of the clinic. She said all the funds earmarked for the project was utilised.
“The total commitment budget was R4m and total spent is R4.4m. Total spent for the clinic is +- R3.3m excluding road works, which increased to R 4.4m when the road works was included,” she said.
Lourens said indeed medical equipment amounting to +-R1.6m were bought and the launch will take place on 18 October 2024.
The Guardian 