KARONGA (Maravi Post)—Paladin Africa Limited that is carrying its activities at Kayerekera uranium site as well as Eland coal Mine Company at Mwaulambo, the area of Traditional Authority Kilipula in Karonga district, are expected to face legal action from the Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) in conjunction with the community for violating the rights of workers and environment.The revelation was made over the weekend during the interface meeting organized by CHRR which was aimed at hearing the concern of people on mine issues.
During the meeting, the community disclosed different problems they faced with mine companies in the district.
“Our rights have been exploited by Paladin and Eland Company. For instance
Eland has left big trenches in our area where livestock drowns each and every day apart from posing threat to our lives especially children,” worried the community.
“Paladin failed to take medical responsibility to its workers who were affected by radioactive substances because of not giving them recommended working kits,” they added.
According to the community, the two companies failed to fulfill their promises signed in the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) such as construction of roads, health center and school blocks.
In their remarks, CHRR Executive Director Timothy Mtambo and Khumbo Soko who is a private legal practitioner of Soko and Company said “the problems you have raised are enough to take a legal action.”
The two parties then agreed to drag Paladin and Eland to court within the year after further investigation.
Efforts to talk to Paladin and Eland proved futile as the two companies stopped their mining activities.