Meeting of water quality experts aborted after ActionAid mounts disruptive action
10 April, 2008
Water quality experts from Limpopo municipalities and the province were forced to abandon a scientific meeting in Limpopo today after ActionAid disrupted the proceedings by bringing in some disaffected community members and two camera crews.
The meeting of experts intended to discover the facts around the allegations by ActionAid that Anglo Platinum was polluting the water used by communities near their mines.
"We take allegations of this sort extremely seriously," said Mary-Jane Morifi, Anglo Platinum's Executive Head of Corporate Affairs. ActionAid's water expert who produced the water quality report, Carin Bosman was not at the meeting.
"For reasons that are beyond our understanding ActionAid chose to mount a media event for the cameras even after being informed through the invitation note that the meeting was intended for Actionaid, Anglo Platinum, Department of Water Affairs, the Municipalities and all the relevant water experts. We can only conclude that Actionaid is not willing to resolve these issues speedily in a responsible and collaborative manner.
"Rational evaluation of scientific data requires a calm atmosphere, so when this can be provided the meeting will be held again, and Anglo Platinum will attend. These allegations will then be examined by experts subject to scientific scrutiny," she said.
The meeting was called and chaired by the Waterberg District Municipality and the Mogalakwena Municipality. Others invited were representatives of the Department of Water Affairs, the Department of Health, Anglo Platinum and ActionAid.
The Waterberg District Municipality as chairman took the decision to abort proceedings.