×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Funeral for slain Wild Coast activist to be held on Saturday

Fille Photo
Fille Photo

The anti-mining activist murdered in an alleged “blue light” hit last week will be laid to rest this weekend‚ the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) said on Wednesday.

Sikhosiphi “Bazooka” Rhadebe‚ 53‚ was shot outside his home by two unknown gunmen pretending to be policemen last Tuesday night.

They remain at large.

His murder‚ which has been linked to a decade of work that he did with the committee in the Wild Coast in opposing open-cast titanium mining by the Australian mining company Mineral Commodity Limited (CMR)‚ drew widespread condemnation.

An ACC statement on Wednesday revealed what it claimed to be details of an “expensive” assassination.

“The highly professional hitmen hijacked a car in Port Edward‚ put one of the passengers in the boot and tied the other in the back seat‚” it said.

“Comrade Bazooka‚ a former MK member‚ refused to be pushed into the car. He had to be shot outside the house. They then went to Port Shepstone and were picked up by another car. The hijacked passengers could call for help.”

The ACC said Rhadebe’s funeral will take place at 9am on Saturday in Mdatya‚ which is 20km from Port Edward in the Amadiba area.

The ACC said last week in the wake of his killing that Rhadebe “died defending his young son‚ who witnessed the murder”.

Tensions between factions for and against dune mining in the area have become increasingly violent. The ACC was formed to oppose the project.

“After one year of threats and attacks‚ we have been waiting for something like this to happen‚” the committee’s statement said last week.

“The Amadiba coastal community will not be intimidated into submission.”

Eastern Cape police had not commented at the time of publication.

 

 

 

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.