Thursday, 8 March 2018

Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement

Abahlali baseMjondolo are under attack in eKukhayeni

Abahlali baseMjondolo are once again under attack in eKukhanyeni in Marianridge. Our members decided to go to the eThekwini Municipality’s department in numbers and demanded that they are provided with electricity. When they came back from that protest they found that their houses were being demolished by a private security company. When challenged a white man named Christopher who owns factories in the area claimed that the security company had been hired by the Land Bank. 

Furthermore, three members of the movement were attacked by men driving in two unmarked vehicles. These comrades were seriously injured and are currently in hospital.

Abahlali decided to blockade a nearby road to show their anger at the government who does not respond to their needs, the actions of the security company and the men in the unmarked vehicles and who ever sent the security company and these men.

Until now it is still unknown who were the men who attacked our members and why 27 people were illegally rendered homeless. We are aware that the ward councillor in the area is very hostile to Abahlali and has vowed to ensure that the movement does not exist in his ward as long as he’s still a ward councillor. Over the years many ward councillors have made similar statements. Two of them are now in prison and others have been removed from office. Our movement continues to grow in numbers and strength.

The reality is that we have people who are critically injured and families that have been rendered homeless by people who have no regard for the poor. We will get to the bottom of this matter and organise our strength to confront and repel this attack.

Contact persons:

Thapelo Mohapi 0628925323

George Bonono 0730673274

Mr Ngcobo 0620532143