Abahlali are under armed attack from the eThekwini Mayor

On 26 June we marched, in our thousands, on the Mayor of the eThekwini Municipality and the KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance. The Mayor and the MEC refused to present themselves to the thousands of people who had marched on the City Hall.

The memoranda that we handed over gave them seven days to respond to our demands. We made it clear that if there was no response we would engage in further protest action.  

More than seven days have passed and there has been no response to our demands. This is the politics of contempt. As a result we have taken to the streets, across the city, in defence of our dignity, our land, our homes, our right to the city and our future.

The response has been brutal. Fourteen activists have been seriously injured by the police and are currently in King Dinizulu Hospital. At least four activists from George Hill, in Sydenham, have been arrested and are currently being detained at the Sydenham police station. One of the arrested comrades is also seriously injured.

We presented ourselves, in our thousands, to the political leadership in the city and the province to demand that that they engage us democratically. They have refused to engage us democratically and have instead chosen to send out the police to repress us. They have sent out the police to shoot. We are under serious attack.

Media may rush to Daseanhook (eKuthuleni) or Sydenham (Randless Rd) for witnessing.

This is an urgent statement and resistance and repression are ongoing. We will be able to make further details available in due course.

Contact:

Blessing Nyuswa 084 695 3205
Bheki Simelane 078 598 9491
Phumlani Magali 081 333 5583
Thapelo Mohapi 062 892 532