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08 May 2025
Protesting community members shot at and injured by police
A peaceful community protest in Dannhauser against Ikwezi mine turned violent when police used excessive force.
Newcastle, Kwazulu-Natal. Five community members were shot and badly injured by police during a community protest in Drangaan Farm, Ward 5 Danhauser,. On Tuesday 29 April 2025, community members staged a protest and blockaded roads targeting the mine. The protest action by the community was triggered by damage caused by coal trucks from the Ikwezi Coal Mine. It is alleged that the trucks burst the water pipes that carry water into the community. The water from the burst pipe flooded the gravel road and rendered it unusable. The road provides the only main access to two schools, Mziwethu High School and Mbabane Primary School. The community also uses the route to access Sukumani Clinic.
Police were called by iKhwezi mine and the situation became violent. Police fired rubber bullets at the protesters. 3 women and a boy, were injured. The boy’s father was assaulted and arrested.
Ikwezi Coal Mine has a long history of conflict with the community involving the police. It is the very same coal mine which wreaked havoc on its arrival in 2018 in the Mbabane area, a neighbouring section from where the community was forcefully relocated without accommodation and prior consultation. During the relocation, houses were bulldozed and families were left with no shelter.
In March 2021 activists were arrested and assaulted by police when they staged a peaceful protest against the mine demanding that the mine addresses issues related to the negative impacts of its operations in the area.
In the past 15 years there’s been a surge in coal mining interest in Kwazulu-Natal which has resulted in homes being demolished, families being displaced, and has even resulted in the relocation of graves.
“Historically, Ikwezi mine and police have collaborated in the past in violent acts aimed at the community.Itis disturbing that the police still allow themselves to be used as weapons by this mine in the violation of human rights and these acts to abuse. The brutality and hatred displayed by the SAPS in the Dannhauser community who a fighting for their rights, has left trauma that will last for generations. The shooting with rubber bullets and arrests of harmless people has left painful memories that will forever live within this community. We will always take a stand to defend our constitutiuonal rights and call for justice”. Themba Khumalo from Sukumani Environemntal Jusctice.
For more enquiries contacts:
Tsepang Molefe: +27 74 405 1257,
Themba Khumalo: +27 79 018 5924,
