1. Today is a momentous day for the Xolobeni struggle for the #Right2SayNo to mining and toll roads imposed on indigenous land.
MEC Babalo Madikizela is convening a 'vote' on whether the toll road may slice Sigidi village in half.
Venue? A private tent with armed security -->
MEC Babalo Madikizela is convening a 'vote' on whether the toll road may slice Sigidi village in half.
Venue? A private tent with armed security -->
2. The Xolobeni community won the #Right2SayNo to mining on their land in the landmark Baleni judgment.
Of course, a #Right2SayNo is also a right to consent enthusiastically to projects the community embraces.
That judgment makes clear that consent must be 'full and informed'.
Of course, a #Right2SayNo is also a right to consent enthusiastically to projects the community embraces.
That judgment makes clear that consent must be 'full and informed'.
3. Instead of accepting that the standard is 'full and informed' consent, today's meeting will merely be a 'vote'.
Who is administering this 'vote'?
Not the IEC.
Either MEC Madikizela, the local municipality, or SANRAL.
All of whom support the toll road.
Who is administering this 'vote'?
Not the IEC.
Either MEC Madikizela, the local municipality, or SANRAL.
All of whom support the toll road.
4. Who is entitled to 'vote' about what happens to the community's ancestral land?
Anyone who attends.
Including the people that are being bussed in from a range of unaffected communities.
No busses have been arranged for the affected community.
This 'vote' is not 'consent'.
Anyone who attends.
Including the people that are being bussed in from a range of unaffected communities.
No busses have been arranged for the affected community.
This 'vote' is not 'consent'.
5. The community objected.
They say that their customary law requires consent of the people who will specifically lose land.
And then ratification at the community's Komkhulu (great place).
The State disagreed: "The Chief decides"
They say that their customary law requires consent of the people who will specifically lose land.
And then ratification at the community's Komkhulu (great place).
The State disagreed: "The Chief decides"
6. The State lectured the community that "they are sitting on gold".
The community must make way for the toll road to subsidise the Xolobeni mine and for the State to build a 'smart city' on their land.
Indeed, both the mine and 'smart city' are already planned -->
The community must make way for the toll road to subsidise the Xolobeni mine and for the State to build a 'smart city' on their land.
Indeed, both the mine and 'smart city' are already planned -->
7. The civil servants at @SANRAL_za insist that the toll road and the mine are not linked.
There is no reason to doubt their good faith.
But the road will unquestionably subsidise the mine and its biggest backers are mine supporters.
Read more: dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-1…
There is no reason to doubt their good faith.
But the road will unquestionably subsidise the mine and its biggest backers are mine supporters.
Read more: dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-1…
8. Today's 'vote' at Sigidi plainly reflects a State intent on imposing 'development'.
And the community wants development!
But on their own terms.
On terms that they will actually benefit from.
Full details from the Amadiba Crisis Committee: facebook.com/amadibacrisisc…
And the community wants development!
But on their own terms.
On terms that they will actually benefit from.
Full details from the Amadiba Crisis Committee: facebook.com/amadibacrisisc…
9. Police are now arriving for the 'vote'.
Follow @shude_zolile and @Eli_Kunene for more updates through the day.
Follow @shude_zolile and @Eli_Kunene for more updates through the day.
10. So far unclear whether a 'vote' is happening and, if it is, the terms of the vote:
https://twitter.com/JohanLorenzen/status/1436257940063784962?s=20
11. Does not seem like there's going to be a 'vote' today.
But let's see.
But let's see.
https://twitter.com/JohanLorenzen/status/1436267253008326656?s=20
12. Seems more police are being gathered to try to force the meeting to proceed.
https://twitter.com/shude_zolile/status/1436279633276719111?s=20
13. More police are now present:
https://twitter.com/shude_zolile/status/1436292999756066819
15. Last update of the day: the Xolobeni community wins yet again.
A luta continua but victory is certain:
A luta continua but victory is certain:
https://twitter.com/JohanLorenzen/status/1436317956473040942
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