The incomprehensible judgement handed down by the Pietermaritzburg High Court this morning, 20 November 2018, dismissed with costs the application by Sabelo Dladla, the Global Environmental Trust (GET) and Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation (MCEJO). This will not go unchallenged. In essence, the applicants approached the High Court when their…
On 15 November 2018, MCEJO and Sabelo Dladla, with assistance from Legal Aid South Africa, filed a Review Application in the North Gauteng High Court to review and set aside the Director-General’s decision to grant Tendele Coal Mining (Pty) Ltd a further 222km2 to mine coal next to Zululand’s flagship Game Reserve.…
This tribute was read on behalf of the Global Environmental Trust at the memorial service for Judge David Ntshangase on the 15 November, 2018. Greetings to everyone present. Thank you for the opportunity given to the Global Environmental Trust (GET) to say a few words at this gathering in honour…
Yesterday’s ConCourt decision is a hugely significant decision for communities and land owners. It means that mining companies who have obtained a mining right cannot simply go onto the land and start mining, as they could to date, even without the agreement of the land rights holder. The Court…
Below is the letter from Youens Attorneys to the Department of Mineral Resources Task Team for Somkhele. The meeting between the Task Team and the Somkhele Communities on 1 October 2018, was cancelled by the Mayor of Mtubatuba.
“I am astounded at the lack of respect given to my clients in these forums. The Agenda was particularly offensive after the tumultuous events in Somkhele and Xolobeni two weeks earlier and given that we attended a meeting where DMR would finally be listening to grievances of the community.…
By Sheila Berry Minister Mantashe’s whirlwind three day roadshow to major mining hotspots in KZN and the Eastern Cape last weekend has understandably focussed on the arrest of human rights attorney Richard Spoor and the tear gassing and use of stun grenades against protesting Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) members in…
The film, Sisters of the Wilderness, will be screened on Heritage Day, Monday, 24 September 2018, at the Isolesizwe Film Festival in Somkhele, Zululand. It will launch the community outreach and impact project that the producer, Ronit Shapiro, considers to be one of the main reasons for making the film.…
Minister of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe, visits the Somkhele Community On Saturday 22nd of September 2018, Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe will finally face the community of Somkhele/Mpukunyoni. The community, which for years has suffered a number of injustices and human rights abuses under the hands of ruthless mining…
