Sunday 3 May, a dozen men driving 4x4s, fired shots in Mtentu and in Xolobeni. This is three of five villages affected by the Australian MRC’s mining application for a 22km long and 1.5km wide strip on the Wild Coast.

 

A well-known business man in Bizana, Zamile Qunya, led the attack on the villagers. He fired shots and beat community members in Xolobeni with the butt of his pistol. One of his bullets grazed the head of a community member.

 

Zamile Qunya is an employee of MRC and a Director of Blue Bantry 255, which is a MRC BEE partner. MRC’s other partner is the private company “Xolobeni Empowerment Company” (Xolco).

 

Of the 13 who yesterday received a Letter of Demand from Richard Spoor’s office, half of them are directors and former directors of Xolco and Blue Bantry. Chief Lunga Baleni is one of them.

-     --   Mr Zamile Qunya seems to enjoy impunity in Bizana. Instead of being arrested he is interviewed as development expert by SAFM and other radio stations. He should be in court, not in radio speaking to us about “development”.

A woman (61) has pressed charges against his brother Bashin Qunya.

 

During last Sunday’s attack, she was stabbed in the arm and kicked when lying on the ground. In the same evening, two unknown men came looking for her. Since Friday, she is in hiding. She is determined resolved to bring Bashin to court. Forces in the municipality are hell-bent on not letting this happen as Bashin is a member of the Qunya family.

 

A new car with men has since then been visiting the homestead of a friend to her.

-         MRC beneficiaries are trying to create an atmosphere of terror in the coastal communities. Many families have moved their children to relatives after Sunday 3 May and continued nightly visits by cars with unknown men.

 

Issued by Amadiba Crisis Committee