Under Siege: Activists Targeted Amid Coal and Iron Mining Expansions
At a public hearing in Johannesburg on 22 October 2025, dozens of community activists opposed to coal and iron ore projects in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal and other regions gave harrowing testimony. They detailed night-time gun attacks, forced relocations, and systematic threats aimed at anyone resisting land grabs and mining expansion. One activist described how “gunmen opened fire on our homes” after opposing a coal mine near Mfolozi, while another said he and his family live in constant fear because “nobody is protecting us.”
Displacement, Impunity and the Erosion of Rights
The activists also flagged patterns of displacement and community fragmentation as mining companies moved into new areas—especially where local residents lacked formal land-tenure protections. They described how traditional leadership structures and local government have, at times, been complicit— leaving communities exposed to violence and deprivation. A juror at the hearing observed there were no consequences for these abuses, noting that mining companies, police forces and local officials seemed to operate with impunity.
Implications for South Africa’s Just-Transition Ambitions
South Africa’s climate and energy policy rests on a transition away from coal—but these testimonies show the social licence to operate remains deeply compromised in extractive zones. Without meaningful reforms in how mining intersects with human rights and community participation, the country risks undermining both its socio-environmental commitments and investment attractiveness. Analysts warn that a credible transition requires not just technical shifts in production, but rebuilding local trust and accountability structures.