Tuesday, 04 December 2018
Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement

Violent police assault leads to death of another baby

On 16 November there was a brutal attack on the eNkanini land occupation including a helicopter and police from as far away as Bloemfontein. As individual homes were raided numerous people were severely beaten by the police. Teargas was thrown into homes without regard for who was inside and many children were affected.

Nonhlanhla Nzama, a resident in the occupation who was seven months pregnant, collapsed and was admitted to hospital for five days after inhaling the teargas. On Friday her child was stillborn. 

A child has been denied to be on earth. His crime is that he was going to be born to a poor family who had decided to occupy land and to take their place in the city. His parents have been denied the blessing of a child by a government that does not recognise them as human beings. They are both traumatised. Nonhlanhla is still in hospital.

The police at the Mayville police station have simply refused to open cases of assault. People who have persisted in trying to open cases have been threatened by the police.

In this country the lives of the poor are freely vandalised without any consequences for our oppressors. All we are to the government is a bank of votes.

The eNkanini occupation has been targeted for this kind of brutality because of its strong support for the nearby eKhanana land occupation. The ANC refer to our members in both occupations as thugs and criminals. As they talk about land reform they brutally repress anyone who organises land reform from below.

For the poor the price for land continues to be paid in blood.

Contact:

Small Boy Mokoena 065 238 2625

Nhlanhla Mtshali  079 604 3508

Thapelo Mohapi 072 072 0686

Mqapheli Bonono: 073 067 3274