These activists, community members, and civil society organisations will deliver a memorandum addressed to the President Cyril Ramaphosa, Ministers of Police and Justice Senzo Mchunu and their respective Portfolio Committee Chairs.

Activisit Mbekiseni Mavuso says this year alone has claimed lives of human rights defenders while he survived an attempt on his life.

“In March this year, I survived an attempt on my life which claimed the life of my fellow activist Mbekiseni Dladla in the Makhasneni village in northern Kwazulu Natal (KZN) province. In June this year Sbusiso Hlogwane, an activist opposing the expansion of Jindal mining operations was gunned down in Nkwalini village. All three are from Melmoth,  an area earmarked for a proposed iron ore mine by Indian mining giant Jindal,” said Mavuso,

Environmental activist, Thoko Nkosi has had to go into hiding after she received threatening phone calls and messages from anonymous people.  She is opposing the mining in the area of Mbabane in Newcastle KZN where the operations of Ikwezi Coal mine has negatively impacted nearby communities. “I fear for my life and my family. I reported the matter to the police, but they did nothing about it, they didn’t even open a case.” said Nkosi.

Activists are concerned that these killings and intimidation, especially in areas where mining and minerals expansion and prospecting is taking place, continue to spread.  

“Our lives were threatened by men carrying heavy weapons in full view and in the presence of the police who did nothing. We have a right to say NO,”said Mavuso.

--ChannelAfrica--