CHRR drags Paladin, Eland Coal Company to court over rights violation and environment issues
The Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) in collaboration with the residents of Karonga have agreed to sue the mining investors in the district, for spoiling the environment as well as infringing the rights of workers.
The concerned companies include Paladin Africa Limited and Eland Coal mine Company.
Speaking during the interface meeting which was attended by traditional leaders and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), CHRR Executive Director Timothy Mtambo said legal action is the only solution.
“As CHRR our goal is to protect the rights of Malawians, now after looking at the complaints of people regarding the two companies we have agreed to take a legal action,” said Mtambo.
Adding that “this is why government is mum on issues of exposing the environmental impact assessment but we shall fight for it.”
According to the community, Eland Company which has been mining coal in Mwaulambo village in the area of Traditional Authority Kilipula has secretly deserted the area without rehabilitating the trenches around the mine site apart from not fulfilling its social responsibilities.
“In our Memorandum of Understanding, Eland signed to provide some developmental projects that’s include constructing a primary school and health center among others of which it did not,” said the GVH Mwaulambo representative.
“ But ironically, the company secretly stop its service, leaving trenches uncovered which are dangerous to our children and as I am speaking number of livestock have drown there,” they added.
It was also revealed that number of workers at Kayerekera Uranium Mine Site which was under Paladin have been affected due to the exposure of radioactive apart from spoiling water with radioactive substances.
Among the affected people is Abraham Siliwonde who lost his vision since 2012 because of radioactive substances according to the medical report and Sichinga whose skin skin was burnt.
“The company denied taking care of our medical bill despite being with them for some years. What we are begging now is for the well wishers to assist us.” said Siliwande and Sichinga.
In his remarks, Khumbo Soko who is a private legal practitioner under Soko and company said “what these companies have done is against the country’s law.”
Meanwhile, the companies are yet to comment on the matter as Eland has stopped its services while Paladin is rumoured to have sold its shares to a Chinese company.
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aaaaaaam i suppose the companies in charge yhought of negative externalities as well…? where is our pride here then?………….i second the drag any wae and if i would be the presiding lawyer in this case……it would do better
Austrialians said good bye to Malawians we are untouchable!!!!!!…koma
This is Why We have always said now and again that this country is full of rotten fools at all levels. Companies especially from outside can just come, do What they want and go when the so called leaders are just busy stealing government money. This current leadership is the worst the history of Malawi in terms of performance. Peter is failing to tick and one cant feel like there is a leader in the country.