On June 2, 2025, the Mfolozi Community Environmental Justice Organization (MCEJO) along with the Global Environment Trust (GET), Mining-Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), ActionAid South Africa (ActionAidSA), and the Southern African Human Rights Defenders Network (SAHRDN) secured a court ruling from the Pietermaritzburg High Court. This decree outlined specific timelines for Tendele Coal Mining (Pty) Ltd and the other responding parties to submit their rebuttal documents.
This challenge began on March 18, 2025, when Part B documents were presented to the respondents. According to the Court Rules, response affidavits were supposed to be submitted by April 29, however, Tendele asked for an extra two-month extension to file them.
The Mpukunyoni Business Association (MBA), a firm incorporated in May 2025 that announced its plan to get involved in the case in April 2025, appeared in court to file the necessary intervention documents.
The parties consented to incorporating the MBA and establishing deadlines for submitting additional documents. These timelines were formalized as part of a Court Order, aiming to minimize potential postponements. Additionally, permission was granted to seek an accelerated hearing from the Judge President.
Meanwhile, Tendele persists with its extraction efforts, greatly harming the inhabitants of Emalahleni village. Imagery from satellites as recent as March 25, 2025, reveals extensive ecological damage in the region, including new ventures starting up in Ophondweni village. Despite people residing less than 500 meters away from the detonation sites, Tendele proceeds with routine explosions each week. Failing to relocate these households subjects them continually to danger and breaches both lawful and moral duties.
MCEJO along with other nonprofit organizations are advancing Part B of their legal challenge aimed at halting Tendele’s operations as they expand into three additional communities in northern KwaZulu-Natal. This action seeks to prevent further mining activities until compliance with a ruling issued in May 2022 is achieved.
The postponements engineered by Tendele and other parties at stake, during which our clients endure hardships every day, constitute an exploitation of the judicial process. Although it’s exasperating to resort to the courts for directives like this particular order, we trust that this measure will guarantee adherence to these deadlines and secure us a prompt trial. This brings us nearer to achieving justice, something long overdue.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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