---
title: "Mining company - and KZN government - have a lot to answer for after assassination of activist Fikile Ntshangase"
description: "The assassination of a rural land activist in the iMfolozi area of KwaZulu-Natal has sparked fears that others opposing an expansion of mining in the area might be at risk of violence. The killing comes just days before a Supreme Court of Appeal case will be heard in which residents are hoping to overturn a 2018 high court decision that refused to interdict the mine’s expansion."
type: "OpinionNewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Opinionistas"
author: "Mary de Haas"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/mary-de-haas/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2020-11-02-mining-company-and-kzn-government-have-a-lot-to-answer-for-after-assassination-of-activist-fikile-ntshangase/"
published: "2020-11-02T13:33:08"
updated: "2020-11-02T13:43:44"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 763
---

# Mining company - and KZN government - have a lot to answer for after assassination of activist Fikile Ntshangase

> The assassination of a rural land activist in the iMfolozi area of KwaZulu-Natal has sparked fears that others opposing an expansion of mining in the area might be at risk of violence. The killing comes just days before a Supreme Court of Appeal case will be heard in which residents are hoping to overturn a 2018 high court decision that refused to interdict the mine’s expansion.

By Mary de Haas · Published 2 November 2020, 15:33 SAST · Updated 2 November 2020, 15:43 SAST

## Content

“Xolobeni has come to KwaZulu-Natal.” These were the words of acommunity leader in mining-affected Mtubatuba areas when he called toadvise that grandmother Fikile Ntshangase had been gunned down in herhome at Ophondweni.

Mrs Ntshangase was vice-chairperson of one of seven subcommittees ofthe iMfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation (MCEJO) forOphondweni and neighbouring areas, and a powerful voice in opposingthe expansion of mining by Tendele Coal Mining, which will displace rural farmers from their homes. The MCEJO, which represents thousandsof subsistence farmers in the broader area affected by the mine, areapplicants in two court cases challenging the expansion of the mine.

The assassination followed a stepped-up campaign by the miningcompany and the KwaZulu-Natal government since February 2020 topersuade applicants to withdraw the court challenge and for those mostaffected by the expansion – including in the Ophondweni area – toaccept the compensation the mine is offering.

During the past few months, several MCEJO members have been allegedly offeredR300,000 by the mine to withdraw the cases. Some have been seduced bythis offer and their membership of the MCEJO has been suspended. Allthose refusing to sign their properties over to Tendele Mining have allegedly received death threats – some linked to local traditional leadership. One survived a drive-by shooting at her home and one applicant wasattacked in his home. The threat has been ever-present, with suspiciousvehicles seen in the area at night, and although the local policestation deployed patrols, the deep rural nature of the area has renderedcomprehensive protection of residents difficult. Locals have alsodevised their own community watch strategies.

With the Supreme Court of Appeal case due to have a virtual hearing on3 November, the pro-mining campaign has been stepped up during thepast week. On 15 October, former MCEJO members who are now colludingwith the mine were among those who disrupted a meeting theorganisation’s representatives were having with their legal team andone prominent leader was assaulted. A case is being opened. Thisleader, who works in another area, has been warned that his life willbe in danger if he visits his family home.

On Monday 19 October, Mrs Ntshangase, who was widowed early this yearand was staying in Ophondweni with her toddler grandson, reported thather dogs were barking in her yard, suggesting that there wereintruders in the vicinity. She has been described as a very powerful voice against capitulation to the demands of the miningcompany. One of her close associates in this struggle has described her asa leader in the Somkhele/Mpukunyoni committee who worked tirelessly forthe community, someone who “exemplified honesty, integrity and the courage tospeak her mind … she did not care about being liked, but cared aboutwhat she believed was right”.

These qualities probably cost her herlife.

The strategies used by the mining company in this area are typical ofthose found in all areas in which such companies operate, and involve dangling incentives before impoverished residents, with theinevitable consequences of stirring deep community divisions. These invariably lead to violence and deaths. In rural areas which aredifficult to police, it takes great determination and courage tocounter these strategies. Mrs Ntshangase exemplified the type ofleadership that promotes community solidarity and resistance. Thereare other leaders of this calibre in the MCEJO and, if anything, theassassination of Mama Ntshangase has renewed their determination tostep up the fight against exploitation by the mine.

What is truly disgraceful is that the mine is being supported by theKwaZulu-Natal government. In June/July the Department of Community Safetyand Liaison sent a staff member – apparently from its CivilianSecretariat arm (which is conspicuous in its absence whenever thethreat of violence looms) to persuade community members to negotiatewith the mine. Since then, after MCEJO members thought it only properto approach the Office of the Ingonyama (King Goodwill Zwelithini) about theirstruggle, they have come under further government pressure via theOffice of the Premier and the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

This is the government that claims it needs toexpropriate land without compensation to redress the land imbalance –while wilfully pushing to displace rural farmers from their familyland from which they subsist, and risk their lives in the process.

Perhaps these hypocrites should ask themselves whether, with the assassination of Mrs Ntshangase, they have blood on their hands. **DM**

*See Responses on Daily Maverick by Tendele Mining and the KwaZulu-Natal Government [here](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-11-02-tendele-mining-condemns-any-form-of-intimidation-and-kwazulu-natal-government-appoints-investigators-to-probe-murder/)*