maandagshoek
Eighteen people including pregnant and breastfeeding women, were arrested last Wednesday (23 May 2007) for allegedly placing stones in a community road that was being used by the mining company, Nkwe Resources who is undertaking exploration in the area.
Update - thanks for your support!
The 18 protestors were released on bail on 5th June 2007. On behalf of groundWork/Friends of theEarth South Africa, we'd like to thank everyone who took part in this action.
Support community including pregnant & breastfeeding women held for protest against mining company
Eighteen people, including a pregnant women and 2 breastfeeding women, were arrested last Wednesday (23 May 2007) in Maandagshoek, South Africa, for allegedly placing stones on a community road to prevent vehicles from Nkwe Resources a mining company that is attempting to prospect for platinum on the community's land. The women have been denied acess to their children in order to feed them.
Even though under South African law a court appearance must take place within 48 hours of detention, the bail application for the Maandagshoek 18 was postponed. This left the arrested people, including the two breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women in jail for a further 7 days.
Protesters hold a banner telling the Nkwe mining company "you should go back home"
The community is furious. "The act of arresting people and detaining them unlawfully is an intimidation tactic by the police and authorities against people who are resisting big mining corporations,"' Emmanuel Makgoga, spokesperson for the Maandagshoek Development Community said. "We will not be intimidated, and we will continue resisting government and corporations taking our lands away from us illegally."
find out more:
Press release from Maandagshoek Development Community
groundWork/Friends of the Earth South Africa's website
