Three of the eight activists arrested during a peaceful protest against a coal mine in Dannhauser, KwaZulu-Natal appear in court.
The police shot at community people seeking to peacefully engage with the Ikwezi Coal mine management on the
Four activists were injured during the incident and they have since laid charges of assault and illegal arrest against the police. This after police fired rubber bullets at peaceful protesters, and activist
The two-day protest was triggered by the mine's refusal to take responsibility of the impacts suffered by the community due to its operations. Community members have previously reported issues of coal dust in their homes, death of livestock, water pollution, and removal of graves, and cracks on their walls due to blasting. All these issues are yet to be addressed by the mine which so far has failed to engage with affected communities in the area.
"The unwelcomed developments in Dannhauser further highlight a total disregard for mining affected communities and how the system fails to protect the rights and well-being of the poor. Those trusted with the responsibility to protect and serve communities must always make sure that the people's interests are put first. The irresponsible use of force by police against peaceful protesters should be viewed as a serious attack not only on the protesting communities but also on the constitutional right to protest, and against our hard fought for democracy," says Robby Mokgalaka a coal campaigner at groundWork and one of the activists arrested.
The community in Dannhauser is not only community affected by
A picket by fellow activists and community members will also take place outsider the Dannhauser magistrate court on Monday.
Details:
Date:
Time:
Place: Dannhauser Magistrate Court,
***
For more information about this campaign see below resources:
Community activists protesting devastating impacts of coal mine shot at and arrested
www.business-humanrights.org -
Civil society outraged at increased police brutality (IOL)
allafrica.com/stories
Press contacts:
Tsepang Molefe | Media and Communications Coordinator
media@groundwork.org.za | +27 74 405 1257
Copyright groundWork. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)., source