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Death of Sikhosiphi Rhadebe

UNSOLVED2016Xolobeni, Pondoland, Eastern Cape, South Africa3 SOURCESUPDATED JUL 2026
Illustrative

Sikhosiphi Rhadebe, widely known by the nickname "Bazooka," was an activist who served as chairperson of the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC). The ACC is an organisation that campaigned against mining activity in Xolobeni, a coastal area in the Pondoland region of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

On 22 March 2016, Rhadebe was killed when men posing as police officers shot him multiple times. As of 2018 there had been no arrests in connection with his death. It has been claimed that the police investigation into the killing was sabotaged, though the source does not attribute this claim to a named individual or provide further detail on who made it or on what basis.

The killing occurred against a backdrop of mining-related violence in the area more broadly. Perth-based Mineral Commodities Limited (MRC), a mining company that was planning to mine the Xolobeni area the ACC opposed, denied any link to the murder.

The case remains listed among unsolved murders in South Africa since 2000, and has been characterised elsewhere as part of a pattern of political assassinations and political repression in post-apartheid South Africa.

The case remains unsolved.

Key facts

Victims
Sikhosiphi Rhadebe
Date
2016
Location
Xolobeni, Pondoland, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Case status
unsolved

Case timeline

  1. 2016-03-22

    Sikhosiphi Rhadebe was shot multiple times and killed by men posing as police officers.

  2. 2016-03-24

    Daily Maverick published contemporaneous coverage of the killing.

  3. 2016-03-25

    The Guardian published coverage in which Mineral Commodities Limited denied any link to the killing.

  4. 2018

    As of this year, no arrests had been made in connection with Rhadebe's death, according to Wikipedia.

Best coverage

No approved coverage links are attached yet.

People

  • Sikhosiphi Rhadebe

    VICTIM

    Chairperson of the Amadiba Crisis Committee, an anti-mining activist organisation; shot and killed on 22 March 2016.

Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.

Places

Xolobeni, Pondoland, Eastern Cape, South Africa

-31.0500, 30.0500

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Common questions

What happened to the victim?
Sikhosiphi "Bazooka" Rhadebe, chairperson of the Amadiba Crisis Committee anti-mining group, was shot dead by men posing as police in Xolobeni, South Africa, in March 2016. As of 2018, no arrests had been made.
Where did the crime happen?
Xolobeni, Pondoland, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
What is the current status of the case?
Status: unsolved.
More cases in South Africa

Sources

  1. ENCYCLOPEDICDeath of Sikhosiphi RhadebeWikipedia · 2026-07-10
  2. PRESSAustralian mining company denies role in death of South African activistThe Guardian · 2026-07-10
  3. PRESSGoodbye Bazooka: Wild Coast anti-mining activist killeddailymaverick.co.za · 2026-07-10