On 15 November 2018, MCEJO and Sabelo Dladla, with assistance from Legal Aid South Africa, filed a Review Application in the North Gauteng High Court to review and set aside the Director-General’s decision to grant Tendele Coal Mining (Pty) Ltd a further 222km2 to mine coal next to Zululand’s flagship Game Reserve. The Application is also to […]
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Tribute to Judge David Ntshangase
This tribute was read on behalf of the Global Environmental Trust at the memorial service for Judge David Ntshangase on the 15 November, 2018. Greetings to everyone present. Thank you for the opportunity given to the Global Environmental Trust (GET) to say a few words at this gathering in honour of the late Judge David […]
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Implications of the Landmark Constitutional Court decision for mining affected communities
Yesterday’s ConCourt decision is a hugely significant decision for communities and land owners. It means that mining companies who have obtained a mining right cannot simply go onto the land and start mining, as they could to date, even without the agreement of the land rights holder. The Court held that before mining starts […]
Continue readingLetter to DMR Task Team for Somkhele
Below is the letter from Youens Attorneys to the Department of Mineral Resources Task Team for Somkhele. The meeting between the Task Team and the Somkhele Communities on 1 October 2018, was cancelled by the Mayor of Mtubatuba. https://saveourwilderness.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Letter-to-DMR-9-Oct2018final.pdf
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Mayor cancels meeting with DMR Task Team and Somkhele community
“I am astounded at the lack of respect given to my clients in these forums. The Agenda was particularly offensive after the tumultuous events in Somkhele and Xolobeni two weeks earlier and given that we attended a meeting where DMR would finally be listening to grievances of the community. The bias towards the mine was […]
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STORMS DURING MINISTER MANTASHE’S WHIRLWIND TOUR OF KZN & XOLOBENI
By Sheila Berry Minister Mantashe’s whirlwind three day roadshow to major mining hotspots in KZN and the Eastern Cape last weekend has understandably focussed on the arrest of human rights attorney Richard Spoor and the tear gassing and use of stun grenades against protesting Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) members in Xolobeni, on Sunday 22nd September. […]
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Media Release: Minister Gwede Mantashe to visit the Somkhele community
Minister of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe, visits the Somkhele Community On Saturday 22nd of September 2018, Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe will finally face the community of Somkhele/Mpukunyoni. The community, which for years has suffered a number of injustices and human rights abuses under the hands of ruthless mining bullies, will finally get a […]
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Law Applies to All – except to Tendele
Two hundred members of the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organisation (MCEJO) from Somkhele and Fuleni, in Zululand, held a peaceful but powerful demonstration outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Friday to draw attention to their strong opposition to the Tendele coal mine accused of operating without the required authorisations concerning environmental impacts, management of toxic […]
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Media Release – Summary of Proceedings: Tendele/Somkhele Coal Mining Case
The application brought by The Global Environment Trust (GET) and members of Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organization (MCEJO) against Tendele Coal Mining (PTY) LTD, on 24 August 2018 in the Pietermaritzburg Supreme Court has been heard. Judgement to be handed down in about 3 months PIETERMARITZBURG, SOUTH AFRICA: Our day In court: Our senior counsel, […]
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