The Inkatha Freedom Party was shocked to learn of the murder Ms Fikile Ntshangase, who was reportedly shot to death at her home at Somkhele in Mtubatuba, last Thursday (22 October 2020). According to reports, Ms Ntshangase – who was Deputy Chairperson of the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organization (MCEJO) – was murdered because of her pro-environment activities, which were against the Tendele Coal Mine operating in the area. Apparently, the community is divided on this matter.
“Any death is one too many and must be condemned by all sane humans. However, what makes this news even more disgusting, is that it is very likely to exacerbate tensions and may ignite violence.
Secondly, this reported controversy portrays the picture of two opposing sides within one community: those in support of mining activities and those in support of environmental issues. This is very unfortunate because both activities are fundamental to the development and progress of the whole community. We, therefore, urge the leadership and whole community of the area to handle this matter with calm and find a way to balance the mining and environmental activities.
As the IFP, we will find time to visit the area on a fact-finding mission sometime next week.
Lastly, we wish to urge the law-enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned, and urgently so, to apprehend those responsible for Ms Ntshangase’s murder.”
Ends.
Issued by:
Mr M. Joshua Mazibuko, IFP MPL
0839926135
Member: KwaZulu-Natal Conservation and Environmental Affairs