Eleven Abahlali Members Arrested in KwaNdengezi; Nqola Assaults Activist

Update: The nine comrades were released on bail of R500 each. They will appear in court again on 7 June 2014.

Sunday, 19 May 2013
Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement

Eleven Abahlali Members Arrested in KwaNdengezi; Nqola Assaults Activist

The Abahlali baseMjondolo KwaNdengezi branch have vowed to challenge the authoritarian rule of the KwaNdengezi councillor Mduduzi Christian Ngcobo who is known as Ngola.

Nqola continues to plan housing development in the area and to construct, employ and allocate housing on his own without involving the community in any decision making. He continues to intimidate and assault activists in the community. He continues to give houses to the people that are not from the community. In all of these actions he claim that he has the full support of the eThekwini municipality.

Today, Sunday 19 May, the community protested against Nqola's corrupt and undemocratic allocation of houses. During the peaceful protest the police came, unprovoked, and arrested 11 comrades. Mandisi Shozi went to the polcie station to try and see his mother and to check that she was ok. Nqola and his izinkabi (hit men) assaulted him outside the police station. They have not been arrested for this assault. Even though Nqola is still attending the case of intimidation with a fire arm in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court he and his izinkabi continue to intimidate and assault activists in KwaNdengezi.

Two of the eleven comrades arrested today have been released on free bail. But nine comrades remain in custody. Their names are S'fiso Ngubane, S'bonelo Ngcobo, Gano Shozi a 60 year woman, Njabulo Dlamini, Dombo Jali, Bonginkosi Ntuni, S'fiso Dlamini, Sandile Ntinga and Dumisani. As usual they have been charged with Public Violence and Damage to Property.

It is just disgusting to bring false charges of this nature against a 60 year woman. It is a shame that that this corrupt state is waging a war against the poorest of the poor.

The nine comrades are expected to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court on Monday 20 May 2013. The case number is 167/05/2013.

Further queries can be directed to:

Thuli Ndlovu, Abahlali Chairperson in KwaNdengezi on 073 5350219
Mnikelo Ndabankulu, Abahlali Spokesperson on 081 2633462
Bandile Mdlalose, Abahlali Secretary on 084 5575090