Assassination of aMadiba Crisis Committee Chairperson Sikhosiphi “Bazooka” Rhadebe
Coastwatch KwaZulu-Natal is a NPO committed to promoting best practice in coastal management. We wish to express our horror at the shooting of Mr. Rhadebe, another anti-mining activist to lose his life. We would like to convey our sadness and condolences to his family, community and colleagues. He will be sorely missed.
We have participated in the public participation processes that were required as part of the EIA application to mine the Xolobeni mineral sands.
We have consistently advocated that the paramount concern should be the sustainability of the project in the interests of the people of the area. The hollow arguments advanced by the proponents of the mining project and their local beneficiaries, about the supposed social benefits, have not impressed us. We have consistently supported the right of the local people to form their own opinion and to have that opinion not only heard but respected.
The lure of personal riches for a few has trumped the community’s expressed preference for sustainable development. The violence that has been intensifying in the area since 2013 is an inevitable outcome, evidenced by a rash of unprosecuted attacks on local communities such as the Mdatya, Mtolani and Sigidi villagers and their chosen spokespeople over the past few years. The assassination of aMadiba Crisis Committee Chairperson Sikhosiphi Rhadebe is just the latest incident in this escalating war on the people and their livelihoods.
Coastwatch firmly believes that it is now time for the South African Government to provide the leadership that has been lacking in the matter by denying environmental authorisation and vigorously pursuing and prosecuting Sikhosiphi “Bazooka” Rhadebe’s murderers.
It is not too late to make a decision that places the choices of South African citizens ahead of those of predatory foreign business whose short term profits are being prioritised ahead of the sustainability of the communities.
ENDS/
For more information please contact:
Roderick Bulman
Coastwatch KZN 135-408 NPO
Chairperson
8 Pepworth Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
T: 033 386 4465 | C: 082 900 8589
