We are shocked and outraged to learn of the brutal murder of the chairperson of Amadiba Crisis Committee, Sikhosiphi Bazooka Rhadebe. As chair of the ACC, Bazooka Rhadebe was a leader of the community’s years-long struggle against an Australian mining company, Mineral Commodities Limited, which seeks to plunder the Amadiba’s communal lands along the Wild Coast.
According to Amadiba Crisis Committee: “ The hitmen came in a white Polo with a rotating blue lamp on the roof. Two men knocked at the door saying they were the police. Mr Rhadebe was shot with 8 bullets in the head.”
This is not the first case of intimidation or violence against those who have opposed mining in the area.
Our hearts go out to Bazooka’s family and community.
The assassination of Bazooka is a painful reminder that from abahlali baseMjondolo to the Helen Suzman Foundation, there is an existing pattern of criminal attacks on civil society formations, especially on those in townships, informal settlements and rural areas. For years, poor people’s movements in different parts of the country have experienced regular harassment, intimidation, detention and violence against their members. It is worst felt when the media are far away and the victims are poor, black or rural, and when major industries stand to make billions in profit.
We cannot afford to remain silent in the face of any of these attacks. Every one of them is an attack on democracy itself.
1. We call for the speedy arrest and successful prosecution of the killers of comrade Bazooka.
2. We further call on the Human Rights Commission to investigate the systematic process of intimidation that has been orchestrated against those who have stood up against MRC and its lackeys in the area.
3. We demand that the Minister of Mineral Resources suspends all mining applications until there has been a full and independent investigation of Rhadebe’s murder!
4. We demand protection for all members of the Amadiba Crisis Committee and their families!
5. We call on all progressive forces to stand up in defence of democracy. End the attacks on our activists and movements!
‘Bazooka’ died for SA not just for Xolobeni
Lubabalo Ngcukana 3 April 2016
Friends and family gathered to bid farewell to late anti-mining leader Sikhosiphi “Bazooka” A luta continua, the struggle continues, speakers declared at the emotionally charged funeral of late anti-mining activist and community leader Sikhosiphi “Bazooka” Rhadebe.
He was buried in Emdatya Village outside Mbizana yesterday.
Rhadebe, who was the chairman of the Amadiba Crisis Committee and an anti-mining lobbyist, died in a hail of bullets last week.
He was assassinated in what is believed to be part of an ongoing violent stand-off between pro-mining and anti-mining groups in Xolobeni.
His death follows reports in January in City Press that more violence was feared since there was tension between opposing factions in the community.
The village headwoman fled Xolobeni and went into hiding after attempts on her life in December.
Also in December, three people were injured and four arrested in Xolobeni in the decade-long battle over plans by Australian mining company Transworld Energy & Minerals Resources to mine titanium in the picturesque dunes of Xolobeni on the Wild Coast.
The funeral was held under a tight police presence.
It was attended by Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union president Joseph Mathunjwa and social movements and civil organisations including representatives of political parties such as the ANC, Pan Africanist Congress and Economic Freedom Fighters.
Yesterday, hundreds of community members aligned to the anti-mining group wore black T-shirts with the words “No mining on our land” printed on them.
They formed a guard of honour around the coffin of their slain leader as Nonhle Mbuthuma, one of the most vocal leaders against mining, led them in song.
They sang in isiXhosa “Imining ayiphumeleli … [mining will not succeed] with fists clenched high. They circled Rhadebe’s coffin which was draped with a blanket.
In the songs, they vowed their leader would not die in vain and they would continue to defend their land against the mining company.
Mbuthuma, who is the secretary of the Amadiba Crisis Committee, described Rhadebe as a hero who had died protecting the land of his forefathers.
“He died for South Africa not just for Xolobeni. He led from the front. He was outspoken and fearless. Even though he is gone, we will continue to fight.
“They would have to kill us all before they can start to mine on our land. A luta continua,” she said.
Mathunjwa said: “The mining investors should not have more power than the community itself.
“The community must have a final say whether they like the mine or not.”
Mathunjwa said Australia had about 24% of the world’s titanium, while China had about 27% of the mineral resource.
He said South Africa had about 10% and if Transworld Energy & Minerals Resources was allowed to acquire that percentage, it would have a monopoly and the majority of titanium in the world.
He said job creation should not be used to disguise the exploitation of people and their land. He said 50% community ownership was the only true empowerment.
Mathunjwa said an open engagement with the community was the only way forward. There should be transparency about the spin-offs for the community.
He called on the South African government to declare the area of Xolobeni a heritage site to prevent the death of more people.
Brown Motau, of the Bench Marks Foundation, said they would give the community of Xolobeni their full support.
Speaking on behalf of Bishop Jo Seoka [chairman of the Bench Marks Foundation], who was also present at the funeral, Motau said the struggle of Xolobeni would continue until the people had won.
“This is going to be the first mine that is going to be stopped!” he exclaimed.
Seoka and the board of the foundation made it clear that they were not going to fold their arms.
“For the first time, we are going to see the right of the community to say no being realised,” he said.
http://city-press.news24.com/News/bazooka-died-for-sa-not-just-for-xolobeni-20160402
Bazooka’ funeral mob attacks The Citizen’s journalists
Citizen Reporter 2 April 2016
The Citizen journalists Nigel Sibanda and Simnikiwe Hlatshaneni following their attack in the Eastern Cape | Image: Michel Bega
Sibanda and the two activists were caught by a group of men and beaten with the blunt edge of a machete, knobkerries and bare hands.
Two of The Citizen’s journalists and two anti-mining activists were beaten at the funeral of slain anti-mining activist Sikhosiphi “Bazooka” Rhadebe on the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast at a remote village near Mbizana on Saturday.
Rhadebe died in a hail of bullets two weeks ago when he was attacked by hitmen, apparently for his continued resistance to Australian mining company Mineral Resources Limited (MRL) wanting to mine the titanium-rich sand dunes near his home village of Xolobeni.
The angry mob – armed with knobkerries, machetes, a spade and rocks – approached The Citizen photojournalist Nigel Sibanda, who was taking photos of the sand dunes in the distance, his colleague Simnikiwe Hlatshaneni and two members of the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC), and began throwing rocks at them and chasing them brandishing weapons.
Sibanda and the two activists were caught by a group of men and beaten with the blunt edge of a machete, knobkerries and bare hands, leaving Sibanda and one of the activists critically injured.
Sibanda’s camera was taken away. Hlatshaneni, who was in their car, was intimidated and forced out of the car by the rest of the group, who hit her in the head and on her shoulder with a spade and asked what she was doing there.
Among the attackers was a woman believed to be in her 80s, wielding a machete. She is the mother of the man rumoured to have ordered Rhadebe’s death, allegedly one Qunywa.
The company’s numerous attempts to obtain and make use of a license to perform open-cast mining in the area has torn the community apart, with some coming out in support of the mining, to the extent of threatening those who were not.
The Citizen photojournalist, Nigel Sibanda, recovering in hospital after being attacked | Image: Michel Bega
As chairman of the ACC, Rhadebe was apparently under constant threat by a known group of villagers who stood to benefit from the prospecting operation.
The company’s South African subsidiary TEM obtained a license to mine the land again last year after their first license was heavily contested for almost two decades.
One of the women who was demanding answers from Hlatshaneni was heard saying: “They want to tell people we killed Bazooka -, that is why they are here”.
An ACC activist managed to call the Mbizana police, but the first policemen to arrive at the scene had heard about the incident elsewhere.
The three police officers failed to attempt to arrest anyone even though the mob continued its attack, but forced Hlatshaneni to walk back to the mob after she hid again in the car and explain to them why she was there.
It was then that more ACC members arrived in a truck, accompanied by more Mbizana police.
Sibanda, Hlatshaneni and one of the activists were loaded into the first group of police vans, where they were forced to sit with three of their attackers who were “accompanying” the policemen.
The victims were eventually taken to Margate Netcare Private Hospital, where Sibanda and one of the activists were admitted with critical injuries. Sibanda’s legs were not broken, as it has been reported by Sunday media.
No arrests were made and two cases of assault and aggravated robbery were opened by Margate police.
Sibanda’s camera is, inexplicably, still with police.
The Citizen editor, Steven Motale, expressed outrage at the incident.
“We are outraged by the brutal attack on our journalists who were beaten up for doing their job.
“The harassment and violence against journalists is a deplorable act that has no place in any democracy,” he said.
“We are also appalled by the conduct of the police who were at the scene when our reporters were attacked.
“Apart from failing to halt the attacks, they also did not arrest the mob that carried out the attacks. Even worse, is the confiscation of the equipment of the journalists including a camera by the police.
“This is criminal on the part of the police whose mandate is to protect all South Africans, including journalists. We will be taking this matter up with police management.”
Motale further called on government to promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists to perform their work independently and without undue interference.
http://www.citizen.co.za/1059659/bazooka-funeral-mob-attacks-journalists-anti-mining-activists/
Sanef condemns attack on journalists
Citizen reporter 2 April 2016
Nigel Sibanda and Simnikiwe Hlatshaneni were covering the funeral of anti-mining activist Rhadebe.
The South African National Editor’s Forum (Sanef) has condemned the attack on two journalists from The Citizen newspaper, as well as on activists, after the funeral of slain anti-mining activist Sikhosiphi ‘Bazooka’ Rhadebe.
Two of The Citizen’s journalists and two anti-mining activists were beaten at the funeral of slain anti-mining activist Sikhosiphi “Bazooka” Rhadebe on the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast at a remote village near Mbizana on Saturday.
Rhadebe died in a hail of bullets two weeks ago when he was attacked by hitmen, apparently for his continued resistance to Australian mining company Mineral Resources Limited (MRL) wanting to mine the titanium-rich sand dunes near his home village of Xolobeni.
The angry mob – armed with knobkerries, machetes, a spade and rocks – approached The Citizen photojournalist Nigel Sibanda, who was taking photos of the sand dunes in the distance, his colleague Simnikiwe Hlatshaneni and two members of the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC), and began throwing rocks at them and chasing them brandishing weapons, The Citizen previously reported.
Sibanda and the two activists were caught by a group of men and beaten with the blunt edge of a machete, knobkerries and bare hands, leaving Sibanda and one of the activists critically injured.
Sibanda’s camera was taken away. Hlatshaneni, who was in their car, was intimidated and forced out of the car by the rest of the group, who hit her in the head and on her shoulder with a spade and asked what she was doing there.
Among the attackers was a woman believed to be in her 80s, wielding a machete. She is the mother of the man rumoured to have ordered Rhadebe’s death, allegedly one Qunywa.
The company’s numerous attempts to obtain and make use of a license to perform open-cast mining in the area has torn the community apart, with some coming out in support of the mining, to the extent of threatening those who were not.
As chairperson of the ACC, Rhadebe was apparently under constant threat by a known group of villagers who stood to benefit from the prospecting operation.
The company’s South African subsidiary TEM obtained a license to mine the land again last year after their first license was heavily contested for almost two decades.
One of the women who was demanding answers from Hlatshaneni was heard saying: “They want to tell people we killed Bazooka -, that is why they are here”.
An ACC activist managed to call the Mbizana police, but the first policemen to arrive at the scene had heard about the incident elsewhere.
The three police officers failed to attempt to arrest anyone even though the mob continued its attack, but forced Hlatshaneni to walk back to the mob after she hid again in the car and explain to them why she was there.
Sanef has appealed to members of the community to allow journalists to conduct their work without fear.
“Sanef is extremely perturbed by the reported behaviour of police which if true is inimical to the role the police should play in our society. Sanef will join The Citizen management in approaching the leadership of the SAPS to get answers and ensure justice is done.”
Amadiba Crisis Committee statement on the attack on journalists and locals
Three thousand wanted to pay respect to our Bazooka Radebe at his funeral in Mdatya, 1500 sitting for 8 hours, the rest standing, coming and going. 30 civil society organisations were present solidarity from all over the country. They were all ready to speak against the injustice and violence caused by the mining application. Speeches of the Inyanga land rights movement and other social movements, Bishop Jo Seoka and Amcu President Joseph Mathunjwa were warmly applauded. In the presence of the AmaMpondo Queen and the Crown Princess Wesizwe, the Mbizana municipality delegation stood up and left when the royal spokesperson from Quakeni, explained why both MRC’s mining application and the coastal N2 Toll Road must be stopped and the will of the coastal Amadiba community respected and followed.
We also want to add information the report in The Citizen about the attack on journalists and locals that took place 17.30. http://www.citizen.co.za/1059659/bazooka-funeral-mob-attacks-journalists-anti-mining-activists/
Let us first inform that the SAPS broke a promise made to us and our legal team of tight security and cooperation with ACC marshals. There was not one uniformed police at the venue when the program started 9.30 with over 2000 present. The funeral was boycotted! By 11 a.m., our lawyers called to a police captain in Mbizana and got an apology. At about 14.00 two vans appeared from Mzamba police station with some eight officers.
At about 5.30 p.m., two journalists from The Citizen and two ACC members were viciously attacked on the road just outside Zamile Qunya’s family homestead. The journalists were guided by the locals to the red dunes. They wanted to take pictures of the Kwanyana block. People came out from the house armed with spears, pangas and knobkerries. The attack started with a robbery of camera, two cell phones and a note book. When the group found Nonhle Mbuthuma’s name in the note book the beating started.
Three Mpisi police officers came and asked the group to stop but they did nothing. The beating of the two on the ground did not stop until officers from Mzamba and leaders from ACC arrived. The Mpisi police then put two journalists and the local from ACC in the same double cab police bakkie as three attackers. The attackers were there to “help the police”, follow to the station and press charges against the journalists! The seriously injured crisis committee member was placed in the open at the back, bleeding heavily from stab wounds from a spear. A police sat into the journalists’ car aiming to confiscate it too!
After violent discussions, the Mpisi police had to stop the nonsense, let the wounded be rushed to hospital and release the car. The disappointed attackers shouted “There is Nonhle Mbuthuma, kill her! Kill her!”
The journalist’s camera, the cell phones and the note book remain illegally confiscated by the police.
Two weeks ago Mbuthuma guided journalists from eNCA on the same public road. Three hours later, Mpisi station commander Ntlangula called her, ordering her to the Mpisi station next day, saying that “there were complaints”. When called by our lawyers, Mr Ntlangula could not explain what crime Mbuthuma was to be charged for. He said he only had invited her. She declined the invitation. Obviously, Mr Ntlangula had learned nothing from this.
Zamile Qunya: Warlord and mining director
Mr Zamile Qunya told eNCA on Saturday that neither he and nor anyone related to him have anything to do with one year of the increasing violence and threats in the community. His nephew Mr Ntethelelo Madikizela led the attack on Saturday, in which Mr Madikizela’s wife, Qunya’s mother and Qunya’s older sister participated. Other individuals are also identified and charges were laid during the night at the Margate police station.
Zamile Qunya is a director of the Australian MRC’s mine at Tormin north of Cape Town. He led the shootings in Xolobeni 3 May last year when a bullet from his pistol grazed the head of a man. Mr Madikezela was also a part of that attack last year.
The case is now by the Mzamba police. Unfortunately, the investigating officer from Mzamba is also a witness to the murder threats. Our lawyers are concerned that there will be no investigation and no measures taken whatsoever. There are so far no arrests of the attackers. This is the routine in our community’s struggle. Also the Mzamba police seems to beliveve that they can keep the journalists property and material confiscated.
The journalist and our member remain admitted at the hospitals in Margate and Port Shepstone.
Amadiba Crisis Committee:
Mzamo Dlamini 072 194 0949; Nonhle Mbuthuma 076 3592982
The Umgungundlovu Traditional Authority and the ACC are represented by Richard Spoor Inc. in Johannesburg and LRC in Cape Town and Pietermaritzburg.
For legal issues in the coastal Amadiba community struggle against mining: Henk Smith 0832661770, Thabiso Mbhense 0711099340 and Richard Spoor 0836271722.
Sikhosiphi Bazooka Radebe’s assassination 22-30 March coverage
Background: Rhadebe & The MRC