Marikana's missing millions investigated

Three investigations in North West might reveal the looting of millions in mining royalties which should have been paid to a community near Marikana, reported The Sunday Independent.

   

According to the newspaper, the alleged looting of the account, into which companies like Lonmin deposit mining royalties for communities on whose mineral-rich land they operate, had apparently been taking place since 1994.

   

It was reportedly alleged that nearly R450 million had been moved out of the account belonging to the Bapo ba Mogale, which owns the land where Lonmin's Marikana operation are based. The account had reportedly not been audited since the fall of Bophuthatswana regime.

   

According to The Sunday Independent, the investigations were being conducted by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), Premier Thandi Modise and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.

   

The newspaper reported that money paid into the account was held in trust by the North West provincial government, and that the premier is the custodian of the account.

  

"The premier knows about the problem with that account, that is why she started her own investigation," Modise's spokesman Lesiba Kgwele was quoted saying.

   

-Sapa