HUNDREDS of mourners gathered at Mdatya village, near Xolobeni to pay their last respects to slain anti-mining activist and taxi boss Sikhosiphi ‘Bazooka’ Rhadebe. Bazooka was assassinated in front of his 15-year-old son, at his home in Amadiba location by unknown hitmen who had allegedly hijacked a car and gone to his house, pretending to be policeman before killing him.
Bazooka was known to be fearless and outspoken about many issues both in the taxi association and the Xolobeni mining project, which has divided the community. Villagers claim they are now being intimidated by pro-mining thugs into backing the project and that the police are turning a blind eye.
Uncedo Taxi Association, together with South African National Taxi Council members, were also part of the proceedings at the funeral. Despite claims by various people that the hit might have been taxi-related because of boiling issues within the association, the taxi industry has reiterated that it had nothing to do with the incident. Meanwhile, his family has rejected speculation that the motive for his killing is related to his stance against the proposed mining in the area.
“It is no secret that, within the taxi association, there are those interested in the mine and that most of them were not happy with his leadership style. Very few of them are here to offer us genuine support. If they are involved, then they have shot themselves in the foot because the removal of one problem can lead to many problems. They know what I am talking about,” claimed a distraught family member.
During the funeral, Amadiba Crisis Committee secretary, Nonhle Mbuthuma, promised the people of Xolobeni that, no matter what happened, the struggle would continue. “As our chairman Bazooka used to say, when you are in a struggle you are going to lose soldiers but it does not mean that it will be the end of the struggle.”
Police involved in the investigation of the murder have received much criticism on the handling of the case as no arrests have been made yet. “It was rather surprising that the owner of the hijacked vehicle and his son clearly saw these two thugs but no identikits were made. Everything seems vague, as not even the police will give you straight answers,” the family member added.
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