Painful Reality

In our previous articles covered by Tshepo Mmusi, especially on Uranium One mining we have covered a number of disastrous miing activities undertook by the company. We covered irresponsible mining behaviour where the company used its employees to profit under difficult working conditions where employees complained about issues related to health and safety. And how the company neglected its responsibility of taking care medically of its ex workers after exploiting them for years. We also covered articles which revealed how the company left areas where they have been operating unrehabilitated, and those areas happens to be situated near human settlement. We also saw the devastation that human beings are being subjected to, in terms of the environment, health and the general welfare of the community of Dominionville. To this end one can conclude that all this social challenges are of corporate social responsibility.

In the few last weeks we have tried to figure out exactly what is Shiva Uranium?, who are its bosses?, what is it that they are prepared to offer to our commuities that Uranium One failed to offer? Many questions to date still do not have answers. To my research and findings i can deduce that Shiva obtained its prospecting rights based on BEE score board which is questionable. the question of health of health and safety are also of great concern, because a worrying factor is history can repeat its self in as far as the uranium one case is concerned. Judging from my previous interaction with ex uranium one employees, similar views and comments are cropping out from Shiva Uranium employees. It is just a matter of time before we can see the true colours of this company.

With regard to the community projects aimed at community development and social upliftment, programmes which are claimed to be developmental are nothing but a ridicule to our communities. The fact that our communities are powerless, lack skills and confidence to takle issues which are fundamental to human person does not mean that corporations like Shiva Uranium should take advantage of our vulnerability. If we are refering to ethical standards and international norms Shiva is doing the total opposite because as we speak the company is sinking a shaft in the middle of Dominionville, which is a sign of disrespect for that community and clearly they do not have a sense of what is acceptibly wrong.

To this end one can rather say Shiva is taking over and carrying on where Uranium One left off, and the sad part is Uranium One had a set of attractive Community development projects which were not carried out and on the other hand Shiva is not even ashamed to point out two lousy programmes which are not even major and can make a difference to our communities. This are still early days to can say that the company could be worse than Uranium One.