6 January 2013

Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement

Land Invasion Unit is Approaching Cato Manor

The Land Invasion Unit has gathered at the Westridge Tennis Stadium. This is where they usually meet before attacking Cato Manor. They have now left the stadium and an attack seems imminent.

There is no court order and so these evictions will be illegal. We don't yet know if they are planning to attack the Dunbar occupation (occupied yesterday) or the Marikana occupation (occupied March 2013) or both.

The ANC and the City have failed to destroy the Marikana Occupation. Now the ANC Area Committee is selling sites in the area for between R3 000 to R5 0000 each. They are trying to get back political control and the ability to profit from the land this way.

They say that this is an ANC area and no one can do anything here without the permission of the ANC.

Marikana was occupied by people who were illegally evicted. They were told 'to make their own way'. Now they are under attack. The residents are clear: 'We have no choice but to resist. If we don't resist here we will have nowhere else to stand for our lives, our families, our dignity and our place in this city'.

The residents also strongly believe that when the Mayor is seen in the area evictions follow. And they strongly believe that he is associated with the killings in the area.

If we are evicted today we will rebuild. South Africa belongs to all who live in it and not just to the rich and members of the ruling party.

Ndabo Mzimela Chairperson of the Abahlali baseMjondolo Cato Crest branch 072 401 5974

Khayabazi Secretary of the Cato Crest Abahlali baseMjondolo branch 078 179 5239

Mnikelo Ndabankulu Abahlali baseMjondolo Spokesperson 081 263 3462

Attachments

Isolezwe: Akukho ukuzinza kwabaseCato Crest