Intimidated, threatened and in the end, silenced – respected environmental human rights defender Fikile Ntshangase was gunned down in her home near Mtubatuba in KwaZulu-Natal. Fikile was a vocal opponent of the expansion of mining operations in her community.
Fikile was a mother, grandmother, teacher, and respected activist who loved gardening and looking after those she cared about.
But on 22 October 2020 in the early evening, Fikile was shot six times and killed inside her home, allegedly by three hitmen known to police in the area. Her body was found by her then 13-year-old grandson.
Fikile was part of the Somkhele community, living near the Tendele coal mine, owned by Tendele Coal Mine (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Petmin. As Vice-Chairperson of a sub-committee part of the iMfolozi Community Environment Justice Organisation, a community-based organisation advocating for environmental justice in the area, she was a vocal opponent of the open coal mine and its expansion of mining operations in the area.
Those close to Fikile speak to the intimidation and threats she and other activists received following the growing opposition against Tendele Coal Mining Limited in 2016. This was due to fear that the mining venture would lead to their forced eviction and threaten their livelihoods.
Under international and national law, the South African government has an obligation to ensure the protection and safety of its people. But sadly, for many HRDs this is not always the case, leaving those who are fighting to defend their rights and those of others largely without protection. This is all too common for activists in mining-affected communities who face the brunt of the devastating impacts of mining activities.
Without accountability, we will continue to see activists threatened, intimidated, and killed. We all need to fight for justice for Fikile because if there is no accountability for her, there is no accountability for anyone.
Take action and demand those responsible for Fikile’s killing are immediately arrested and prosecuted.
