Calm returns to Tronox
The company confirmed no injuries or damage to property was reported and production operations continued as normal.
CALM returned to Tronox KZN Sands after Macekane community protesters brought fire and brimstone to the company’s Central Processing Complex near Empangeni on Monday.
Angry about lack of water supply in their community, the group of demonstrators reportedly set fire to tyres, blocked the plant’s main entrance and forced a truck driver to offload sand on the road before finally handing over a memorandum to Tronox management at 11am.
Since then, the site has been quiet while company management is engaging with relevant stakeholders and local authorities to resolve the matter.
The company confirmed no injuries or damage to property was reported and production operations continued as normal.
The South African National Civic Organisation’s (SANCO) uThungulu Regional Committee on Tuesday spoke against the violent protest.
‘We want to separate ourselves from all destructive protests in this district,’ said SANCO committee member Thembinkosi Mthembu.
‘We warn all protesters never to use the SANCO banner and to stay away from these marches.
‘Often these protests start peacefully, but end in violence and destruction of community structures.We are an organised structure.
