May 14 (Xinhua) -- South African environmentalists converged in Johannesburg on Saturday to demonstrate against climate change.

The environmentalists had traveled from all the country's provinces, with some from Bolivia, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

They did this as part of the global anti-climate crisis protests called Break Free, which calls for countries to change to 100 percent renewable energy and dump fossil fuels like coal.

The marchers had intended to march to the Gupta family house in Saxonwold, but they were stopped by the interdict sought by the latter.

The South Gauteng High Court on Friday dismissed an application by Break Free South Africa to protest at the Gupta's Saxonwold compound.

While other marchers remained at the Johannesburg Zoo, the other 15 went to the Gupta House at Saxonwold and dumped a coffin with coal to show their displeasure.

The Guptas were the main target because their controlled company, Tegeta Resources, bought Glencore Mine in circumstances which others think was unfair this year. The Guptas are also accused of state capture where they are said to be influencing in the appointment of ministers and other government officials.

Addressing the crowd of about 1,000 marchers, Ferrial Adams, the Southern African director of the NGO, 350.org, an anti-climate change organization, told the gathering to force the government to dump the Guptas, which allegedly have close ties with the SA government.

"We are here to expose the politicians, individuals and business like the Guptas who are a threat to the citizens of this country. We are saying break free from fossil fuels. We will target the financial institutions funding the Guptas and other coal business. We are calling for the end of the Guptas corruption, " said Adams.

The demonstrators carried placards which read: "Yes to renewable energy. No to dirty deals".

The security at the Guptas refused to receive a memorandum from the marchers. The memorandum was put in the letter box at Saxonwold.

The environment activists threatened to march to the Guptas House next week.

Mesheck Mbangula from Mining Affected Communities United in Action said people living near the mines are infected.

He said some chemicals from the mines pollute water, thereby affecting the water for drinking and livestock.

He added that some of the grazing lands are also affected by the pollution from the mines.

Mbangula called on the government to address the climate change issues urgently.

Representative of the Right 2 Know organization, Carina Conradie, stated that they want the government to involve clean energy like the wind, sun and other renewable energy.

Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

by Xinhua News

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