THE capture of South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) by vested interests was imminent.
This was the import of a statement issued by James Lorimer, shadow mines minister and Democratic Alliance MP, who said the recent appointment by mines minister, Mosebenzi Zwane of Advocate Thabo Mokoena as DMR Director-General was a further step in neutering the department.
“Minister Zwane came to the ministry with no record in mining,” said Lorimer in a statement today. “He has elevated his crony, Seipati Dlamini, also with no mining experience, to the position of deputy Director General in charge of the issuing of mining licences.
“After this was exposed it was claimed her appointment was temporary but the department has refused to say when a permanent appointment will be made.
“Now the key position of Director-General has been given to another newcomer to mining.
“We conclude from this that the viability of the mining industry as a provider of state revenue and jobs is not seen as important by the ANC. Instead, it is deploying people who will not stand in the way of the capture of resources by cronies of the ruling faction of the ANC”.
Lorimer told Miningmx that it appeared Mokoena had been appointed without Zwane undertaking any formal recruitment process as is required by the government.
He added that Mokoena was generally perceived to be “mild-mannered” and would therefore be a compliant ally as the DMR set about its business of redrafting the mining charter and amending aspects of the Minerals & Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA).
The appointment of Mokoena also makes vacant the head of the administration of the Free State legislature which, it is speculated, will be filled by a friend of Ace Magashule, premier of the Free State.
“Minister Mosebenzi Zwane has continued the estrangement of his department from the mining industry by making the appointment without consultation,” said Lorimer.
“But this is not the biggest problem. In appointing Mokoena, he has appointed somebody with no visible mining experience and no experience of commerce of any kind.”
