A group of activists gathered on Thursday at Protea Road, Sandton, to demand that African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) cease its indirect support of Israel’s war efforts. Protesters accuse ARM of profiting from genocide by supplying coal through Glencore, a company in which it holds shares. The picket took place outside ARM’s offices, calling on billionaire Patrice Motsepe to sever financial ties that make his company complicit in Palestinian oppression.
Activists from the SA BDS Coalition, environmentalists, journalists, and media organizations took to the streets, demanding an end to South African coal exports to Israel. Climate-change activist Sunny Morgan emphasized the personal responsibility of Motsepe in this crisis, stating, “We are gathered here to protest Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) for supplying coal to Israel, making them complicit in the genocide of Palestinians. We hold him personally liable.”
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What is happening?
A shipment of 170,000 tons of South African coal, sourced from the Richards Bay terminal, where ARM holds financial interests, is set to arrive in Israel aboard the Algoa Value. Protesters insist that ARM’s partnership with Glencore makes them complicit in the ongoing genocide.
“We are marching at African Rainbow Minerals who are partners with Glencore that is sending coal to Israel, the same coal that lights up Israel while they’re switching off the lights in Gaza and killing people in Gaza,” stated author and journalist Zukiswa Wanner.
The protest unfolded outside ARM headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, with demonstrators chanting and holding banners condemning the company’s role in fueling war crimes. The broader issue extends to international markets where South African resources are being used to support military aggression. Salaam Media was on the ground covering the event, capturing footage and sharing live updates on social media.
The controversy surrounding ARM’s involvement in Israeli coal trade escalated after reports emerged linking South African coal shipments to Israel amid the Gaza genocide. “South African mining companies have continued supplying coal to Israel since the genocide began,” said Roshan Dadoo, Coordinator of the SA BDS Coalition.
“We demand that these companies uphold their stated principles, corporate responsibility, and commitment to human rights by ending their role in fueling this genocide.”
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How is ARM responding?
ARM executive Imrhan Paruk has denied direct coal shipments to Israel, stating, “I am not aware of any coal that is leaving from any part of our business to Israel.” However, Paruk admitted that billionaire Patrice Motsepe’s ARM is a shareholder in Glencore, a company that does trade coal with Israel, raising questions about ARM’s indirect financial ties to the Israeli market despite its public stance.
Activists demand an immediate halt to all coal shipments to Israel and for ARM to take a clear stance against apartheid and genocide. The movement continues to gain momentum, urging South African companies to align their business practices with ethical and humanitarian principles.
Find out more below:
“South African mining companies have continued supplying coal to Israel since the genocide began. Today, a shipment of 170,000 tons of South African coal is set to arrive in Israel aboard the Algoa Value, which departed from the Richards Bay terminal—owned by a consortium of… pic.twitter.com/08riAr2A0e
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) April 3, 2025
