eMacambini: Emergency press releases (4 & 5 December)

http://antieviction.org.za/2008/12/05/solidarity-friday-morning-update-on-emacambini-blockade/

Solidarity: Friday morning update on eMacambini blockade
5 12 2008
Abahlali baseMjondolo and Rural Network Press update
5 December 2008 at 09h50am

Reporting on the incident has not been good. Most reporters have only interviewed police officers and have failed to get statements from the residents themselves. This has led to a number of inaccuracies as police are scrambling to justify their intense and violent repression of the protest. Currently, there are no reports of any injuries to any motorists or police officers. It seems that only residents have suffered any injuries. Below are the facts from our investigations on the ground:

Shooting and injuries: SABC 3 News now estimates that 50 residents of eMacambini were injured during the road blockade. At least 30 people, mostly women, were directly shot by the police. The blockade took place in three locations on the N2, and those injured were taken to separate hospitals or were treated by paramedics at the scene, making it difficult to determine how many people were shot and injured by police.

What is confirmed is that among the people counted with injuries, most were shot with lead pellets and others with rubber bullets. Also confirmed is that police shot residents even after the road blockade has been dismantled. Bystanders not involved in the blockade were also shot.

At least 10 people remain in hospital as a result of the shootings. Most of those in hospital are women and many were shot at close range which can be deadly. One woman remains in critical condition after being shot at close range in the face by police.

Repression and arrests: We now know that ten people have been arrested. They have been told that they will appear in court today, December 5, 2008. Some of those arrested were injured when police opened fire. One man who sustained a serious injury to the knee remains in jail, and as of late last night, still has not been allowed to see a doctor.

For more information, please contact Rev. Thulani at 082 588 3740

Please also contact the following people from the Anti-Removal Committee:

Moffat Chili: 073 409 8625
Herbert Mbambo: 082 309 1637
Bheki Lushozi: 083 885 1448
Shando: 083 684 4562

eMacambini (KZN) residents blockade rode, over 12 arrested, countless shot, 3 people in critical condition
4 12 2008
Abahlali baseMjondolo and Rural Network
Press Alert Thursday 4 December, 2008 at 13h00
*Statement by the eMacambini community to follow tonight or tommorow*

On Nov 26, 2008, the eMacambini community marched about 10km to the Mandeni Municipal offices to protest against the proposed R55 Billion Amazulu World Development Project that threatens to evict more than 10,000 families living in the area. Residents, living on communal land are members of an indigenous and traditional Zulu community. Residents presented their grievances to Prof. Musa Xulu who received it on behalf of KZN Premier S’bu Ndebele. Among other demands in the memorandum was that the Premier must respond to their grievances by the 3rd of December (yesterday). The Premier has failed to respond and acknowledge the grievances of the community.

As a response, the community had blockaded the Northbound side of the N2 freeway early this morning with rocks and burning tyres for more than six hours. It was a peaceful and nonviolent action by the community meant only to cause political damage and economic inconvenience.

Police then came and shot 13 people with rubber bullets and then proceeded to arrest a large number of residents. Three people are now in the hospital in critical condition because of the police’s violent actions against residents. Of the people arrested, only four people are known to be in the local Inyoni Police Station. The location of the other people who were arrested is not known at this time.

Residents have now resolved to hold a Community Mass Prayer and Mass Meeting this coming Saturday the 6th of December to chart a way forward.

Residents have opened up a crisis office which is being manned by Rev Mavuso from the Rural Network. You can contact Rev. Mavuso in the crisis office at him at: 035 474 2790

You can also contact Rev. Thulani at 082 588 3740

Please contact the following people from the Anti-Removal Committee (some may have been shot or arrested or may otherwise be unable to answer their phones:

Moffat Chili: 073 409 8625
Herbert Mbambo: 082 309 1637
Bheki Lushozi: 083 885 1448
Shando: 083 684 4562

For background information, visit the Stockpile of information on the eMacambini/AmaZulu World evictions

For the previous press release by the eMacambini Anti-Removal Committee, click here

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Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Alert
Thursday 4 December, 2008 at 11h20am
*A detailed update will follow later in the day*

(Previous press alert below)

We know now that at least 12 residents have been arrested by the police. We also know that quite a large number of residents have been shot at and have been injured. 3 residents are now in the hospital in critical condition.

Residents have opened up a crisis office which is being manned by Rev Mavuso from the Rural Network. You can contact Rev. Mavuso in the crisis office at him at: 035 474 2790

You can contact Rev. Thulani at 082 588 3740

Please contact the following people from the Anti-Removal Committee (some may have been shot or arrested or may otherwise be unable to answer their phones:

Moffat Chili: 073 409 8625
Herbert Mbambo: 082 309 1637
Bheki Lushozi: 083 885 1448
Shando: 083 684 4562

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Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Alert
Thursday 4 December, 2008 at 10h30am
*A detailed update will follow later in the day*

This morning, 4 December 2008, residents of eMacambini decided to blockade a road in their area to protest the unsatisfactory response of Premier S’bu Ndebele.

We do not know many of the details at the moment. However, we do know that many people have been shot by the police and that a number of the protesters have been arrested.

A detailed update will follow later in the day with more information.

In the meantime, please contact the following people for more information:

Moffat Chili: 073 409 8625
Herbert Mbambo: 082 309 1637
Bheki Lushozi: 083 885 1448
Shando: 083 684 4562

Rev. Mavuso (Rural Network) – 035 474 2790