South African Fishing Community Demands Justice Over Shooting Dead Of Member

Members of the fishing community are demanding justice, after a small-scale fisherman from Nibela was shot dead by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife rangers in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park last week.

Celimpilo Mdluli, 30, from the Nibela fishing co-operative, and two other fishermen from the co-operative, iol.co.zareports, went fishing at St Lucia lake on September 16, when the incident occurred.

A statement regarding the incident was issued by the South African Small-Scale Fisheries Collective, One Ocean Hub Small-Scale Fisheries Research Group and the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance.

According to the statement, the fishermen had set up their net and were in the vicinity of the iSimangaliso Park, when a light was shone on them and Mdluli was shot.

 “He fell to the ground, but was still alive and cried out for help.”

The two other men, one of whom was injured in the shooting, escaped and returned to their village the next day to inform Mdluli’s family of what happened.

However, Ezemvelo said yesterday that the rangers had opened fire after the men had allegedly fired at them.

Mdluli’s brother, Bongani, said he made a living as a fisherman and often camped overnight on the eastern shores of the lake where he cast his net