Update on the Save our iMfolozi Wilderness Campaign – Sept 2017
Fuleni mine With Ibutho Coal (Pty) Ltd having gone to ground in mid-2016, we breathed a short sigh of relief and basked in our victory. For mining to be pursued again in Fuleni, a new mining right application and EIA process would need to instigated. For now, Fuleni…
Notice Of Appeal Against The Granting Of Mining Right KZN 30/5/1/2/2/1004MR To Tendele Coal Mining Pty (Ltd)
The Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation(MCEJO) and Mr Sabelo Dladla (the late Mr Gednezar Dladla’s son) have submitted an internal appeal to the Director-General of Mineral Resources against a decision made by the Regional Manager, KZN, to grant a mining license to Tendele Coal Mining at Somkhele for a new…
Dangers of being a defender of environmental justice in South Africa
By Kirsten Youens, attorney specialising in environmental law and environmental justice The fifth anniversary of the Marikana mine massacre on 16 August 2017 serves as a stark reminder that mining is a very dangerous industry to oppose. A recent report issued by Global Witness states [1] that “at least…
Commemoration for Mr Gednezar Dladla
On Sunday, 9 July 2017, well over a hundred people gathered at the Dladla homestead in Dubelenkhunzi village, Somkhele, near the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, to attend a commemoration for Mr Gednezar Dladla, the highly respected anti-mining activist, who died on 18 October 2015, a few days before his 60th…
A Giant Awakens – The Umfolozi Big Five Game Reserve
Why is Wilderness important?
Below is a letter to the SOIW campaign from Brodie Craig affirming the value of Wilderness. To Whom It May Concern, In early May of this year, I embarked on a journey through the iMfolozi Park that inspired in me a passion for conservation and protection for this harrowed land.…
Petmin’s Tendele security illegally remove Somkhele residents protecting their ancestral graves from bulldozers
On Monday morning, 22 May 2017, Tendele mine’s security guards removed six Somkhele community members from protecting ancestral graves that are being threatened by earth moving equipment at KwaQubuka, where the mine is expanding. The six descendants were taken to the mine management and the police were called in. …
Granting of Interdict Highlights Human Rights Abuses
Pietermaritzburg – A peaceful demonstration outside the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, on Monday, 15 May, highlights 10 years of conflict between the Somkhele community (part of Mpukunyoni) and Petmin’s Tendele coal mine. The matter being heard concerned three interdicts issued against the Mpukunyoni Community Property Association (MCPA) and chairman,…
Demonstration targets Petmin’s key investors with demands to divest from Tendele coal mine
A noisy but peaceful demonstration, part of 350.org’s Global Divestment Mobilisation, was held outside Petmin’s head office to show major investors that Somkhele residents have many complaints about Tendele coal mine, sited near Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, in KZN. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Surprised shareholders from Investec, Old Mutual, Nedbank,…
Rhino threat persists as Petmin agrees to delist from JSE – Fin24
Cape Town – Protestors demonstrated outside mining firm Petmin’s headquarters in Bryanston on Monday, as shareholders agreed to delist the company from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The protestors attempted to intercept shareholders including Investec, Old Mutual, Barclays Bank, Afena Capital and RECM to demand they divest from the firm completely.…