By Johnathan Paoli
Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) has condemned the arrest of several of its leaders and members in Robega, North West, warning that the use of criminal charges against community organisers threatens constitutional rights and democratic participation.
In a statement, the organisation called for the immediate release of those arrested where there is no lawful basis for their continued detention, while urging authorities to investigate whether the criminal justice system is being used to suppress legitimate community activism.
The arrests include Robega Branch Secretary leader “Cde Mighty”, along with other branch leaders and community members, namely Relebogile Mogoshane, Robert Tshukudu, Pule Tshukudu, Thapelo Makokoe, and Shimi Tsomane.
The following events are linked to preparations for a peaceful community protest that has since been postponed until 3 July.
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MACUA said it was “deeply concerning” that the arrests occurred only weeks after its national leadership met publicly with the Robega community to promote peaceful civic participation and accountability in mining-affected communities.
“Only recently, on 23 May 2026, MACUA’s national leadership met publicly with the Robega community as part of an ongoing programme to strengthen democratic participation, accountability and peaceful community organising in mining-affected communities,” the organisation said.
During that meeting, residents reportedly raised concerns about governance, unemployment, access to public services, and the need for greater transparency and accountability from community leadership.
“MACUA reaffirmed the importance of peaceful mobilisation, constitutional participation and community unity,” the statement said.
The organisation said it was therefore alarming that community leaders associated with those organising efforts were now facing criminal charges.
According to MACUA, the arrests stem from developments following a community meeting held to prepare for a peaceful protest.
Although the demonstration was later postponed to next week, community members reportedly discussed allegations involving a former community administrator during the meeting.
MACUA said some residents later went to the former administrator’s home while accompanied by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“MACUA has been informed that no property was damaged during this process,” the organisation said.
Despite this, MACUA said Mighty was arrested on allegations of malicious damage to property, even though information available to the organisation indicated that he had not been present at the residence during the incident.
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The organisation said additional MACUA members, branch leaders, and community members had since been arrested on allegations including trespassing, while further arrests were reportedly expected.
Although MACUA said it was still verifying all the facts surrounding the incidents, it argued that the arrests appeared to fit a broader national trend affecting mining communities.
“Across South Africa, mining-affected communities have increasingly experienced attempts to suppress legitimate civic organising through intimidation, selective policing, and the use of criminal processes against community leaders. Whether this is occurring in Robega must now become the subject of urgent public scrutiny,” the statement said.
The organisation warned that constitutional rights could not be undermined through criminal prosecutions targeting peaceful activism.
“Communities cannot be expected to participate in democracy if every act of organisation carries the threat of arrest,” MACUA said.
MACUA has called for the immediate release of all individuals who are unlawfully detained, full public disclosure by SAPS of the factual basis for each arrest and charge, and an independent investigation into whether the criminal justice system is being used to intimidate or suppress legitimate community organising.
The organisation also called on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, the South African Human Rights Commission and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service to urgently monitor developments in Robega.
In addition, MACUA urged authorities to respect the constitutional rights of Robega residents to organise peacefully, participate in democratic processes and advocate for accountability without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
MACUA said its national leadership was coordinating legal support for those arrested while engaging local leadership and monitoring the situation closely.
Reaffirming its commitment to the community, MACUA argued that democratic engagement should be met with dialogue rather than criminal sanctions.
“The struggle for accountability cannot be criminalised. When communities organise peacefully to demand transparent leadership and a better future, the response of the democratic state should be dialogue, not arrests,” the statement said.
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Inside Politics reached out to North West SAPS spokesperson Colonel Anne Magokoe, who confirmed that seven suspects were arrested, alleged to be between the ages of 40-61.
“They will be appearing before the Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 29 June 2026, on charges of assault and malicious damage to property,” she said.
MACUA said it would continue supporting the Robega community and pursue “every available legal, constitutional and democratic avenue” to protect the rights of its members and other mining-affected communities across South Africa.
