Page 35 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 33
P. 35
The Environment
to inadequate drainage systems, particularly legalized by some governments from illegal
during rainy seasons. miners to artisanal miners have turned out
to be more lethal than foreign miners. Death
Some companies make empty promises to is also used to settle some tribal disputes
construct clinics, schools, and other facilities and scores. Many unreported murders occur
through opinion leaders. Roads are a story every day in those jungles, and individuals
for another day, perhaps an area of promises there tend to place a higher value on money
made during campaigns to retain their seats than on human life. People will primarily be
in parliament, and people are on their own. fighting for control of regions that are known
Government officials don’t appear to care to be rich in minerals, such as diamonds and
or follow up anymore because they usually gold. It is also publicly known that some
utilize helicopters to get to these regions not people won’t spend a day in detention after
roads. committing such crimes, which supports the
claims that some Mafias are supported or
Mining and Abuse financed by dishonest government officials
who even went so far as to buy ammunition
While some investor corporations conceal and distribute it to the miners.
their tax payments as though they were
unaware of them in the first place, others In those mining areas, the government should
offer salaries or wages that are significantly always maintain order and make sure that
less than what is specified in the contract. no officials are bought off to overlook such
Anyone who questions the motivation will situations. Because some law enforcement
either be severely assaulted or fired from officers get busted alongside the Mafias
their position without pay. Videos that have when severe operations are carried out
gone viral on social media platforms show unexpectedly by other cops without the
that miners can go months without getting knowledge of those on the ground. Therefore,
paid while still being forced to report to work the government should constantly keep an
every day. eye on certain places and install tools that
guarantee effective crime prevention.
When the perpetrator learns that young girls
have been raped and impregnated, he may Can an African investor go to Europe or
choose to buy off the family members to not Asia and contaminate rivers, underpay,
report the incidents. Some may even vanish abuse, and rape, and survive a second
and flee their obligations. without apprehension or deportation, or
even a death sentence? If not why do they
Artisanal Mining and Murder get away with doing this to us?
Foreign investors cannot assist, of course,
but local miners who were subsequently
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