KwaZulu Natal Christian Council Leaders visit the 8 Leaders of Abahlali BaseMjondolo in Sydenham Police Station

Bishop Rubin Phillip, the Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council and Rev Phumzile Zondi-Mabizela, the Chief Executive Officer, visited the 8 Abahlali baseMjondolo leaders that were arrested on Sunday 27 September 2009. The visit took place yesterday afternoon, Monday 4 October at Sydenham Police Station. They were accompanied by delegates from the Church Land Programme, as well as the group’s Advocate and Attorney.

The Sydenham Police Station was receptive to our visit, and we were able to visit with the leaders at the two cells in which they are being held. They appeared to be in good health and their spirits still strong. They are anxious for their families as, together with other leaders of Abahlali, their homes have been destroyed in the attacks. Furthermore, as day labourers they are not earning any money to support their families whilst being held by the police.

We conveyed to the 8 leaders the statements, petitions, messages and practical contributions of solidarity that have flowed in from local and international movements, individuals, organisations and churches. The extent of support was a real encouragement to them, and they expressed their real sense of hope in these growing acts of solidarity.

At the end of the visit we were all able to join hands through the prison bars and pray together for strength as in solidarity we committed ourselves to ensuring justice is done, and that the truth of the Kennedy Road attacks will overcome the lies and slander being spread so shamelessly. Being part of that chain of solidarity we were challenged again by Jesus’ words: “whatever you did to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did to me”.

We would like to urge you all – individually and in your gatherings – to pray for the 8 leaders and their families. We mention their names below so that you can remember them daily, particularly as they face a court hearing this Thursday: Khaliphile Jali, Simvumile Limaphi, Thokozani Mtwana, Situtu Koyi, Sithelo Mambi, Thobuxolo Mazeka, Zandisile Mgutyana, Sibulelo Mambi.

Their case will be heard on Thursday 8 October in Durban. We invite civil society, church and religious leaders to join with us as we attend the court hearing to show again our support for these members of Abahlali.

We urge members of society and churches to continue pledging their support for the displaced families from Kennedy road by depositing their contributions into the Anglican Church’s Trust Fund. The details of the fund are as follows:

Diocese of Natal – Trust Account

First national bank

Account number: 509 3118 7386

Branch code: 257 355

Branch: Midlands Mall, Pietermaritzburg.

South Africa

Issued by Bishop Rubin Phillip

Anglican Bishop of Natal (KZN) and

Chairman of the Kwa Zulu Christian Council