STORY | Amnesty International South Africa - Justice for Fikile Ntshangase

In a world where the opinions of people are often repressed, protecting human rights, land, and the environment becomes more and more dangerous. The world needs more people to turn their outrage into action, to invite their friends and family to participate, to get involved, and demand equality and justice from their governments. 

For over 20 years, Amnesty International’s annual Write for Rights campaign has transformed the lives of people whose rights have been wronged. Using the power of their words, Write for Rights supporters have united behind a common purpose: together, we can change lives for the better. 

22 October marked a year since environmental activist Fikile Ntshangase was shot dead while she was at home with her grandson in Ophondweni, KwaZulu-Natal by unknown gunmen. Fikile Ntshangase – a respected environmental human rights defender who was gunned down in 2020. It has been two years and no one has been charged for her murder 

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. After Ntshangase died, the mining company introduced stricter security measures. 

In a webinar hosted by Environmental organisations Global Witness and ALL RISE, Arnold Tsunga from the Southern African Human Rights Defenders Network showed the webinar a video of a mining company in Zimbabwe using explosives to break ground dangerously close to a village. The explosion destroyed homes, and endangered lives and livestock. In the video a child could be heard saying, “my grandmother’s house has been destroyed”. 

Tsunga also revealed that out of the 331 human rights activists killed in 2020, 70% of them were environmental rights defenders.

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?

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.

DEMAND JUSTICE.

Sign the petition:

Add your name to the petition demanding those responsible for Fikile’s killing are immediately arrested and prosecuted. SIGN HERE: 

https://amnesty.org.za/write-for-rights-page/

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Credit:
●Daily Maverick DEFENDING THE DEFENDERS: Remembering Fikile Ntshangase, a fearless environmental activist 2021 https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-10-22-remembering-fikile-ntshangase-a-fearless-environmental-activist/

●Amnesty International (South Africa) 

https://amnesty.org.za/