Mega green-hydrogen project and port development planned for Boegoebaai.
The Richtersveld community is divided over the government’s plans for a massive “green hydrogen” project in Boegoebaai Port, Northern Cape.
The agreement included restoring mining rights to the community, financial compensation for the losses they sustained from diamond mining since the early 1900s, and environmental rehabilitation.But the community has gained little from the initial settlement due to the internal conflict it fuelled, a dysfunctional Communal Property Association, maladministration, and state capture.
In December, about 200 members of the Richtersveld community wrote to the Northern Cape Economic Development, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency and the Communal Property Association committee seeking clarity on an access agreement for the special economic zone, largely on land owned by the community.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigating Unit announced on 12 February that it is investigating allegations of corruption and maladministration at the NCEDA.In February 2020, the CPA was placed under the administration of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development by the Northern Cape High Court for three years.
Spokesperson for the Department of Public Enterprises Ellis Mnyandu told GroundUp that over the years, the Pooling and Sharing Joint Venture had recorded significant losses and had been unable to declare any dividends for its shareholders.“The PSJV Board is working on a turnaround plan to improve operations and ensure that the community benefits from the mining assets,” said Mnyandu.
One was to object to the NCEDA access agreement, demanding that the community be fully informed of its details and that a legitimate process be followed.