*Village in despair as homes crack and bones unearthed*Dust-choked residents demand action against quarry and local Kgosi For many, mining and development projects herald a feeling of hope, progress and prosperity. But for residents of Momare ward at Ranaka village, the opening of a quarry has only brought heartache, anger and broken dreams. On Wednesday, during an address by Leader of the Opposition Dumelang Saleshando, their sorrow and anger poured out, painting a picture of broken promises and shattered peace.
The disgruntled residents exposed the human cost of the quarry operated by Builders Place (PTY) Ltd, which they never wanted in their backyard. One of the residents, who is also a member of the Ranaka Concerned Citizens group that appealed to the Land Board against the quarry being granted a plot near residential homes, Rodgers Howell, revealed that a consent letter had been signed in 2021 by the village’s former VDC Chairperson and the Builders Place (Pty) Ltd Director Mpho Rowland. He stated that the company was later given surface rights to 33.3 hectares of quarry land at Momare Ward.
“This is a plot that could have benefitted our residents greatly for residential plots. This company never did proper consultation with us. We later found out that they did not undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
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We took the matter to Kgosi Moemedi Telekelo of Ranaka because we hoped the quarry would benefit us if placed properly. Unfortunately, Kgosi Telekelo turned us down, saying he would ensure Builders Place (Pty) Ltd was given the letter to commence their project,” he shared. Howell’s voice shook as he described the deeper pain of how the quarry sits on the land where residents buried their loved ones.
“Last year, human bones were extracted from there, that is where our late family members rest. Our houses are cracked even, due to the basting. We invited Kgosi Telekelo, Rowland and district leaders to come and help us resolve the issue, but no one turned up,” he stated, his voice thick with emotion.
He explained that after fighting the issue for a long time, they made a petition to the Moshupa Sub Land Board Secretary, who acknowledged that the quarry directors were only aware that Momare Ward belonged to Khwahu Ward. Residents said they would not have had a problem if the quarry were placed in Khwahu, as it is far from residential homes.
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