Swaziland United Democratic Front Statement on the Brutal Assassination of the beloved leader of Abahlali BaseMjondolo comrade Zweli ‘Khabazela’ Mkhize

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 17-02-2026

Swaziland United Democratic Front Statement on the Brutal Assassination of the beloved leader of Abahlali BaseMjondolo comrade Zweli ‘Khabazela’ Mkhize

We have learned with shock and disappointment the killing of Abahlali activist and leader comrade Zweli Mkhize who is the Treasurer of the eNkanini branch of Abahlali in Ellendale, Gauteng and we extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to his close family ,friends, the branch, community ,the entire organization of Abahlali BaseMjondolo and the Frontline leaders comrade President Sbu Zikondze and the secretary general comrade Thapelo Mohale with the rest of the collective NEC leaders.

ABM has lost a lot of activists through similar acts and this barbarism must be condemned, fought against until all people are free to voice their views, organize without their lives being threatened. Abahlali remains one of the largest grassroots social movement whom has earned its place in the hearts and minds of people both in South Africa and across the globe who has seen the suffering, disposition and as well as the strength of thousands of united shack dwellers, freedom loving activist and all peoples of goodwill resisting unjust treatment, the right to land and dignity and the affirmation that whether you are poor or not, you are still human, your voice and interest deserves recognition and respect.

Without Abahlali, the land question and housing question in South Africa could have lost its meaning in the rhetorics of populist demagogues, detouched intellectuals flexing intellectual rhetoric, ultra left power mongers and all forms of populist aiming to swing the emotions of people for whatever interests they want to serve especially during campaigning for elections. Abahlali has lead and shown in the little land they occupied how to organize it, the true meaning of self-sufficiency, food security through their organized communes. This is what irritates a state embedded in capitalist traditions and turning of people to be consumers whom the rich must extract profit and cheap labour out of.

We reiterate our solidarity even in these trying times, we stand our grounds and unapologetically raising our fist together with you comrades that they must be an end to these killings, justice for the family and our leader and many others whom we have lost under this act of desperation aimed at demobilizing the working-class and poor of our countries.

We therefore condemn this barbaric act of violence, and appeal to the law enforcement to intervene and act swift to undermine this unbecoming conduct as well as further calling the state to guarantee the safety of its citizens as well as treating these killings as political killings that needs its immediate intervention.

Once again SUDF fly’s its banner in half mast, in recognition of Cde Zweli Mkhize’s work and further reiterate our deepest condolences to his family, organization and entire people of South Africa.

ENDS

Issued by the Swaziland United Democratic Front (SUDF)

Prince Bailey (Secretary General)
+26876743440

Lucky Dlamini (National Chairperson)
+26876144781
Email: sudf2008@gmail.com