Middelburg – On 25 July, Highveld Chronicle published a story about Seriti Resources’ intention to demolish about 400 homes of people residing in Naledi and Lesedi villages as part of its planned exit strategy.
Seriti said “the continued maintenance of the villages has become unsustainable”. However, the Steve Tshwete municipality’s executive director for infrastructure and technical services Lindiwe Silolo told the paper the municipality is not aware of Seriti’s demolishing plans.
“From our side, we are not aware of the demolition or that they already took that point,” she said. “We will send a delegation to the villages to probably go and check because it’s best that we also do our investigation.”
However, claims that the municipality was unaware of Seriti’s intention to demolish the homes appear to be misleading. In fact, the municipality was already aware as early as 30 October 2008. The municipality’s resolution number M40/10/2008 shows that the executive mayor at the time had put this matter to the attention of Council.
In 2012, under resolution number C35/09/2012 the Council took a decision to accept the donation of the villages, but insisted the villages must first be improved according to “the satisfaction and standards of the municipality”.
In response to the municipality’s denial of its knowledge of the matter, Seriti said that it has “actively and consistently” engaged the municipality over the years. “This intention has been communicated transparently through formal channels, and the municipality has been kept informed throughout the process.”
A representative of the affected villages shared that the mine has cut off electricity in what they described a scathing attempt to have them vacate the area before demolitions are effected.
In a letter the publication has seen, dated 23 July 2025, the municipality wrote to Seriti questioning their decision to disconnect electricity. “It has come to the attention of the municipality that the mine has disconnected services at Naledi and Lesedi village for the past 2 months,” read the letter signed by the accounting officer Mandla Mnguni.
Shutting down services is against basic human rights, said the municipality. “We also would like to request for additional information on your reasons that have informed you to take such a drastic decision.”
The municipality held a meeting with Seriti on 06 August to find an amicable solution. “If it is true that they are demolishing, as long as they have not started with demolishing, we can sit on the table and try to find some common ground where we can accommodate the families,” Silolo optimistically said ahead of the meeting.
However, it appears the meeting did not bear any fruits as Seriti maintained that their position remains unchanged. “While Seriti remains committed to its decision to exit the villages, any steps related to demolition will be undertaken in compliance with all
relevant legislative requirements and through continued engagement with the appropriate stakeholders. At present, no specific demolition date has been determined.”
