When community activists threatened to disrupt operations at one of the world’s significant PGM producers, swift legal intervention was required. Our team was instructed to bring an urgent interdict application in the High Court to protect our client’s mining activities.
The matter was sensitive and complex. The respondents, from the mine’s doorstep community, argued that their constitutional rights were being infringed and sought to characterise the proceedings as SLAPP litigation (Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation). The case also involved multiple State Respondents, including the Department of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and the North – West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism.
Our team, led by Melanie Hart and assisted by Mbuyi Katumba and Vusi Ndhlovu, acted quickly to secure urgent relief. The collaboration ensured that all interests were carefully considered, while the client’s operations were protected from disruption.
This matter illustrates our approach: we are practical, quick and we get it done.
