BusinessLive reports that local communities have complained to the Competition Tribunal about a veil of secrecy around the proposed merger of Lonmin and Sibanye-Stillwater.  

On Wednesday, the final day of the tribunal’s hearing on the proposed merger, they warned that an already volatile situation would be stoked if 13,300 expected job losses were not mitigated.  The merger is billed as the saving of Lonmin, but it will bring job losses, significantly affecting local communities, including Marikana.  Affected communities asked the tribunal for tighter conditions to ensure the companies could not shirk social obligations under their social and labour plans (SLPs), which are development plans companies commit to as basic conditions for mining rights.  Lonmin has been found to be noncompliant with its SLPs.  Louie Mogaki of the Greater Lonmin Community claimed there had been no consultation on the merger with most of the community, and the companies had been secretive.  While Sibanye committed to taking on all outstanding SLP obligations from Lonmin, the community was distrustful.  Marikana women's group Sikhala Sonke asked for merger conditions relating to SLPs to be more specific so the companies could be held to account.

• Read the full original report by Lisa Steyn at BusinessLive

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