GIWUSA Strongly Condemns the Assassination of Abahlali baseMjondolo Leader Zweli “Khabazela” Mkhize and Holds the Political Establishment Accountable

MEDIA ALERT
15 February 2026

GIWUSA Strongly Condemns the Assassination of Abahlali baseMjondolo Leader Zweli “Khabazela” Mkhize and Holds the Political Establishment Accountable

The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) is deeply shocked and angered by the brutal assassination of Comrade Zweli Mkhize, widely known as Khabazela, the treasurer of the eNkanini branch of Abahlali baseMjondolo. This cowardly attack occurred on the evening of Thursday, 12 February, in the eNkanini settlement in Ellandale, Gauteng.

According to reports, Khabazela was visiting the home of a friend when he was hunted down and shot by two assailants who arrived in a Renault. He did not die alone, but his death is a devastating loss for the poor and the dispossessed of our country. Khabazela is the latest in a long line of Abahlali baseMjondolo leaders to be silenced by assassins’ bullets. This endless wave of killings targeting the movement’s leadership represents a war against the poor waged through the barrels of guns.

GIWUSA extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and comrades of Khabazela, as well as to the entire Abahlali baseMjondolo movement. We stand in full solidarity with you during this painful time.

Holding the Political Establishment Responsible

We state clearly and without equivocation: we hold the political establishment responsible for this death. Whether they orchestrated it directly or not, they bear full responsibility for creating the conditions in which such assassinations have become commonplace.

The political establishment is responsible for the horrific conditions in informal settlements across this country—conditions marked by intolerable levels of criminal violence, poverty, and abandonment. Their ongoing criminalisation of the movements of the poor who dare to resist these conditions has created a climate of persecution. The state’s repeated violent evictions, its refusal to engage meaningfully with organisations of the poor, and its portrayal of these movements as illegitimate have all contributed to making leaders like Khabazela targets.

This is particularly acute in mining-aff ected communities, where the struggles of the working class for land, housing, and dignity intersect with the interests of powerful capital. The incitement against movements of the poor, whether from state actors or the interests they serve, has created a toxic environment where the assassination of community leaders is met with silence, indiff erence, or even approval in certain quarters.

A Call for an Independent Working-Class Defence Strategy

We call upon and demand that the South African Police Service conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into this assassination. The killers must be brought to justice. We also call on the community of eNkanini and all progressive civil society to remain vigilant and to organise for accountability of these murderers.

At the same time, we should have no illusions about the police and their ability to bring about lasting peace and security in our community and movements.

The police and the criminal justice system have proven themselves either unwilling or unable to protect the poor and their organisations. In many instances, they are part of the problem.

Therefore, GIWUSA calls for the development of an independent working-class defence strategy. Communities and their leadership must organise to defend themselves against the violence that seeks to silence resistance. We call on all progressive formations, trade unions, and community movements to unite in building structures capable of protecting our people, our organisations, and our leaders from the assassins who continue to target the poor with impunity.

As a union representing the interests of general industrial workers, we recognise that the struggles of the working class do not begin and end at the factory gates. The fi ght for decent housing, land, and dignity is inseparable from the fi ght for decent work and a living wage. When a community leader is silenced by a bullet, it is an attack on all of us who seek a just and equal South Africa.

Rest in power, Khabazela. Your struggle continues.

Issued by:
The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA)

For comment call:
Mametlwe Sebei – GIWUSA President
081 368 0706 / mametlwesebei@gmail.com