[DEBATE] : Re: Demonstration Today at Trial of Leaders fighting Anglo-Platinum (Limpopo)

[Dennis Brutus]

hi anne. thanks for info. full support for protst. raised matter at metings in gauteng. best dennis brutus

Anne Mayher <akmayher at hotmail.com> wrote:  Greetings all,


More news in the fight against Anglo-Platinum and their buddies.



Best, Anne Mayher





29 November 2006



Today is the trial of 2 Makgoshi in Maandagshoek, along with other community
members. Anglo-Platinum brought charges against them for trespassing and
public violence when they were demonstrating as a community on their own
land. They have been mobilizing to protect their land from additional
drilling without the community's permission by the Modikwa Mine, which is
run by Anglo-Platinum and Patrice Motsepe's African Rainbow Minerals. On
that day in June, police also shot both rubber and live bullets into the
community demonstration, injuring several people including a baby.
Angloplats continues to use dirty tactics that violate these communities'
rights - such as intimidation, harassment, payoffs, and violence.



Over 500 people are expected to demonstrate in support of the leaders and
their comrades today in Paatgietersruk near Burgersfort in Limpopo. Areas
represented include Maandagshoek, Magobading, Diphala, Ga-Monyatane, and
Praaktisier which are affected by the Modikwa (Anglopat and ARM), Atock
(Impala Platinum, and Twickenham (Angloplat) Mines. They will also be
supported by comrades from Ga-Pila near Mokopane, who are struggling against
Angloplat's PPL Mine. The chiefs on trial are Kgoshigadi Joyce Kgoete and
Kgoshi Isaac Kgoete, who have courageously united formerly divided parts of
Maandagshoek in their struggle against Anglo-Platinum. 



Emmanuel Makgoga, one of the leaders of these united communities stated
"This is our land, they have no right to drill on it or do anything without
our permission or the permission of our traditional leaders. They cannot
arrest us for protecting our own land." The communities continue to gain
strength and have pledged to fight and work together in solidarity to stop
these mining corporations from trampling on their rights, their culture,
their livelihoods, and their land.



For more information, please contact Emmanuel Makgoga (Maandagshoek) 082 343
5095, Jerry Tshehlakgolo (Magobading) 082 269 1901, Brand Nthako 082 628
1362 (Jubilee SA), Anne Mayher 082 398 6882 akmayher at hotmail.com.

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