South African Commission Condemns Killing Of Activist Who Opposed Coal Mine

THE South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Tuesday condemned what it described as the “cold-blooded murder” of environmental activist Fikile Ntshangase in October.

Ntshangase, a vocal opponent of one of South Africa’s largest open coal mines in the coastal province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, was involved in legal proceedings against the expansion of the venture at the time of her death, the SAHRC said.

“The (SAHRC) is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the cold-blooded murder of environmental human rights defender Fikile Ntshangase,” it said, adding no arrests had been made in relation to her death.

It said human rights activists, especially in mining communities, often put their lives at risk and that it saw the killing of Ntshangase as a threat to the creation of a safe environment for activists to exercise their rights.

It called on the government to create this environment via steps including a thorough investigation into