http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=986864

IFP man arrested at poll point
24 April 2009
Mhlaba Memela

IFP strongman and member of the provincial government Nkosi Khayelihle Mathaba will appear in the Nyoni magistrate’s court on Tuesday.

On Wednesday evening police arrested the leader of the Macambini tribe after he allegedly parked his vehicle and blocked access to the ZZ Mathaba Creche voting station in the area.

“When police requested that he move his vehicle he refused and became violent.

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=985309

60 landless people arrested
22 April 2009

Police yesterday arrested 60 members of the Landless People’s Movement as they threatened to stage a sleep-in at the Department of Land Affairs offices in Pietermaritzburg.

They demanded to meet senior politicians, including ANC provincial chairperson Zweli Mkhize and Minister of Agriculture Lulu Xingwana.

The protesters said they were fed up with the “abuse being meted against farm dwellers”. They have threatened not to vote today.

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=899002

‘Stay off our land, Premier’ - angry protesters block highway

05 December 2008
Mhlaba Memela

Protests against the controversial proposal to develop vast tracts of Macambini land for tourism turned ugly yesterday when thousands of demonstrators blocked the N2 freeway and pelted motorists with stones.

Fifteen people were arrested and 12 others seriously injured, community leader Khanyisani Shandu said.

He accused the police of using “live ammunition” on his people and said KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sbu Ndebele “has declared war and ordered police to shoot innocent people who are only defending what is rightfully theirs”.

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=893130

'Do not steal our land’

27 November 2008
Mhlaba Memela

NO WAYS: Residents of Macambini in northern KwaZulu-Natal marched to the Richards Bay town centre to protest against a proposed leisure and residential development in their area. PHOTO: Thuli Dlamini

The angry community of Macambini, northern KwaZulu-Natal, yesterday vowed to disrupt economic activity between Durban and Richards Bay on the North Coast.

More that 5000 angry residents wielding home-made weapons were protesting against a proposed R55billion tourism and residential project in their area.

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=785508

The Sowetan 17/6/2008

‘Give us land to build on’

17 June 2008
Mhlaba Memela

No dignity in hand-outs

Protesters numbering about 3000 yesterday took to the streets to highlight their need for houses – and also that, instead of developers, they want to build them themselves.

The protesters, mainly women and youths, demanded that city officials provide them with land so they can build “better houses than the low-cost houses the government is providing”.

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=763174

ICD to probe burning of boy by police claim

09 May 2008
Mhlaba Memela

Wounded: A 16-year-old boy who was allegedly burnt by police who claimed that he was a drug dealer shows his wounds. Photo: Mhlaba Memela

The Independent Complaints Directorate has taken up the case of the family of a 16-year-old boy who was accused of dealing in drugs and then allegedly beaten and burnt with a hot iron by the police .

It is said that members of the SAPS at Durban Central police station stormed his home after receiving a tip-off that he was selling drugs.