Mantashe under fire from traditional leaders over mining rights on communal land

By Thebe Mabanga 

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has come under fire over remarks he made late last year regarding mining rights on land held under traditional authorities.

The comments were made during an interview with Newzroom Afrika, in which Mantashe argued that minerals found on communal land do not belong to traditional leaders or local communities but to the state, acting on behalf of all South Africans.

In the same interview, Mantashe also drew criticism for suggesting that high unemployment was partly driven by an expectation among some South Africans that government should apply for jobs on their behalf. ANC Youth League president Collen Malatji was among those who publicly rebuked the minister over the remarks.

On the issue of mining rights, Mantashe was responding to a question about how communities could benefit from minerals located on communal land. He said the minerals “do not belong