Crisis committee chairman gunned down
The shooting is believed to be linked to the Xolobeni mineral sand dune mining project.
WELL-KNOWN taxi boss and chairman of the Amadiba Crisis Committee, a committee formed to oppose the Xolobeni mineral sand dune mining project, was gunned down at his Amadiba home near the Wild Coast on Tuesday night.
According to a statement released by the Amadiba Crisis Committee on Wednesday this week, Sikhosiphi Rhadebe, popularly known as ‘Bazooka’ was shot at around 7.30 pm by men, apparently pretending to be policemen, who arrived at his home in a white Polo with blue lights. The men allegedly asked Mr Rhadebe to accompany them to the local police station as he was being placed under arrest.
When Mr Rhadebe walked out, his son, who was with him at the time, heard gunshots and hid until he heard a car leave. He then went to investigate and found his father lying on the ground, covered in blood.
According to a source, he was shot eight times in the head and died at the scene.
Mzamo Dlamini and Nonhle Mbuthuma, members of the committee, expressed great concern at the murder.
Mr Dlamini said that, after a year of threats and attacks directed against the committee, they had been waiting for something like this to happen. Shootings had taken place in Xolobeni in May and at Mdatya village in December last year, after which arrests had been made, but the suspects had been released on bail in January.
Ms Mbuthuma added that, since then, SAPS members had been conducting raids at night, sometimes without uniforms.
“Around 6pm I received a call from ‘Bazooka’ saying we should be careful because he had heard rumours of a hit list. He asked if we were prepared, together with the rest of the community, to attend the court case against the suspects in Bizana High Court on April 8.”
That was the last she heard from him.
Ms Mbuthuma said the police had not been cooperating with the Umgungundlovu traditional authority in a plea to stop the ongoing threats and violence against those who were opposing the proposed Xolobeni mining project.
She has appealed to all South Africans to help them keep their land. “The Australian mining company, Mineral Resources Commodities and all the criminals who want to rob us of our land and pocket blood money should know that we won’t be intimidated into submission. i- Mining Ayiphumeleli, meaning there will be no mining,” she reiterated.
Uncedo Taxi Association (Mzamba) could not be reached for comment.
Mzamba SAPS station commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Devan John, confirmed the shooting. He said a case of murder had been opened and police were investigating.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
