Anti-Privitisation Forum
Press Alert
Thursday, 21st January: 14:30
APF & EARTHLIFE ACTIVISTS ASSAULTED AND ARRESTED AT NERSA HEARINGS EARLIER TODAY FOR TRYING TO EXERCISE THEIR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS
This morning, the NERSA public hearing into ESKOM’s application for tariff increases got underway at Gallagher Estate in Midrand. Both Earthlife and the APF were present, having made written submissions and requests for presentations in opposition to ESKOM’s application. Not long after proceedings began, a small group of Earthlife activists silently placed several posters on the walls inside the venue. Almost immediately, Gallagher Estate’s private security personnel arrived and tore down all the posters, whilst forcibly escorting those activists identified as the ‘perpetrators’, outside the venue. They then locked the doors and when a larger group of APF activists arrived, refused them (alongside the Earthlife activists already outside) entry.
Despite repeated attempts by these activists to point out the public nature of the hearing, and thus their right to attend, the private security personnel continued to lock them out. When the gathered activists then started toyi-toying, the SA Police Services were called. Three of the APF/Earthlife activists tried to reason with the police and to inform them of their democratic right to participate in the public hearing going on inside the building. The police then assaulted, arrested and hauled them off to the Midrand police station where they were charged with public violence and resisting arrest. The names of the three activists are Makoma Lekalakala, Mashao Chauke and Nomaliza Xhoma. At present they are being held at the Midrand police station while a lawyer engaged by Earthlife and the APF continues attempts to get the charges dropped.
For further comment/information contact: Ferrial Adam of Earthlife on
0741813197
Dear Earthlife and APF Activists,
I, on behalf, of the Federation for a Sustainable Environment, hereby offer our support in any way which you think desirable or necessary.
We believe that Freedom of Expression and Freedom to picket, present petitions, etc. are basic human rights and should be protected.
In solidarity,
Mariette Liefferink.
CEO: FEDERATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT.
The Pelindaba Working Group and the Coalition Against Nuclear Energy pledge solidarity with, and applaud the sterling efforts of, the APF and Earthlife activists.
Indeed the struggle for democratic rights continues even as public participation processes have steadily become more meaningless particularly in respect of as Eskom and electricity politics. The world-over where nuclear power becomes the preferred option citizen rights is eroded and doors open for corruption, bribery, intimidation and clandestine heavy-handed tactics. These tariff hikes serve these all. Why else would several years of “participation” and submissions to government on energy policy result in such action at the Nersa hearings when in good faith civil society organisations have offered better solutions?
We continue to believe that until government and ESKOM first listen to the sense of canning once and for all time its nuclear aspirations that all other debate will continue to be severely stifled.
Thank you APF and Earthlife for not capitulating!
Dominique Gilbert
Coordinator
PELINDABA WORKING GROUP
& member of the national
COALITION AGAINST NUCLEAR ENERGY