Africa Action Stands in Solidarity with South Africa’s Poor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Stulman (202) 546-7961

Statement on Kennedy Road Informal Settlement

Africa Action Stands in Solidarity with South Africa’s Poor

Monday, October 05, 2009 (Washington, DC) – Amidst reports of racially motivated violence against settlement residents in South Africa, Africa Action joins in solidarity with members of the Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement (ABM) – a grassroots movement campaigning to improve the living conditions of poor people.

A statement by S'bu Zikode, President of Abahlali baseMjondolo, indicates he and his family have become refugees after receiving threats on his life during the recent violent attacks at the Kennedy Road settlement. Their home was demolished two days prior to this statement. Despite a heavy police presence at the settlement, no one has been brought to justice.

Africa Action calls for an open, fair and effective investigation into the alleged arrests, detainment, physical violence and murder of all community activists in the region.

In June 2008, Africa Action traveled to South Africa to assess key issues facing the people of South Africa after the most recent 2009 elections. Michael Stulman, Associate Director of Policy and Communications, witnessed first-hand accounts of growing tensions in the informal settlements.

”I am disappointed and shocked by the allegations of police complicity in these attacks,” said Michael Stulman this afternoon. He adds, “The principles of the equality, dignity of all human beings, accountability, justice and the rule of law must prevail over impunity.”

In the report report released in September, Africa Action highlights civil society efforts to address land reform and the people forcibly removed from their homes and community.

The report is available at www.africaaction.org

South African cities rank as the most unequal in the world: 58% of all South Africans live in urban areas, one third of whom reside in slums with informal housing. Some 200,000 houses need to be built in order to meet the demands of the growing population, in addition, many of the informal settlements struggle to meet basic needs such as clean water, electricity, health care, and education.

In Cape Town, over 400,000 people are currently on the waiting list for public housing. The gentrification of South Africa’s inner cities in recent years has resulted in hundreds of thousands of people being evicted from buildings and shacks in and around the city centers and relocated.

In South Africa there is only 1 formal brick house for every 43 Africans compared to 1 for every 3.5 Whites.

“The struggle to channel South Africa’s great potential towards meeting its peoples' needs continues. The country must address the issues that, undoubtedly, it cannot afford to disregard,” said Michael Stulman

For further analysis, read the Africa Action Report from South Africa here.