Central SA
Assassination threats allegedly made over land─── TSHEHLA KOTELI 12:16 Mon, 06 Feb 2023
A red alert warning has been sent by the Amadiba Crisis Committee about assassination threats against two of its leaders, Nonhle Mbuthuma and Thwesha Silangwe.
Thapelo Mohapi, General Secretary of Abahlali baseMjondolo, alleges the movement lost three leaders to assassinations and another comrade in an alleged police murder.
One of the recent assassinations happened on 21 January 2023, when Thulani Maseko was allegedly assassinated in Swaziland. Mohapi and the movement are of the view that political assassinations have often been used to repress dissent in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Bringing matters home, he said in South Africa anti-mining activists have been hit hard with many assassinations receiving little or no public attention. “Fikile Ntshangase was assassinated in Ophondweni on 22 October 2020. Sikhosiphi ‘Bazooka’ Radebe from the Amadiba Crisis Committee was assassinated in Mbizana on 22 March 2016,” he added.
The latest to receive death threats are Mbuthuma and Silangwe. “As usual the ruling party’s politicians are behind the threats.”
Mohapi explains that the Amadiba Crisis Committee have been fighting a mining company from Australia, as well as an attempt to build a major road through their land. “They have been fighting against this mining company for more than 20 years, yet our government continues to be on the side of the mining company. Assassination threats always have to be taken very seriously. Comrades are almost always aware that their lives are at risk before death arrives.”
Mohapi alleges that political heads in the cabinet protect the Australian company, to benefit from the deal. It is understood that the company in question wants to buy land in the country to start mining on.
“The people must decide if they want the Australian company to start mining here, the decision cannot be taken by the government,” he explained. Mohapi added that what the government is failing to understand is that people want to use the land for agricultural purposes, instead of mining. “Land must be used for the social well-being of the people and not for commercial use,” he concluded.
“If Nonhle or Thwesha are harmed in any way, we will all know who is responsible.”
