Update:The application for bail was delayed until the 5th of February. This is 8th postponement of the bail hearing and the five members of the Kennedy 12 that remain in custody have now been illegally detained for four months without a bail hearing or any evidence being brought against them.
JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED
AN URGENT CALL TO A PRAYER SERVICE
22 January 2010 – Durban Magistrates’ Court
To all clergy, faith leaders and people of Durban.
By now many will be aware of the events in Kennedy Road and the subsequent arrests of thirteen members of the grassroots movement known as Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM).
What is the latest news?
On 11 December 2009 the accused “Kennedy 12” made a brief court appearance at the Durban Magistrates? Court. Five were remanded in custody, whilst the seven had their bail conditions unchanged.
On Friday 22 January, the “Kennedy 12” will be in court for the eighth time. The five will be expecting judgement in the bail application, while the seven will be seeking relaxation of their bail conditions. The “Kennedy 12” now need your presence, your prayers and your protest more than ever before. It is important that they know that we care. Solidarity for the “Kennedy 12” has been expressed locally, nationally and internationally and we urge you to make your voice and protest heard.
* Please join us at the Prayer Service from 8.30am to 9.30am outside the Durban Magistrates’ Court on Friday 22 January. We hope that, as people of faith, your presence and prayers can be a source of comfort to families and friends of the accused. Clergy are invited to wear clerical attire.
* Accompany AbM members into the court gallery after the prayer service – thereby assuring them safety.
* Pray for those in prison and their families. Pray for our faith leaders who have intervened in this situation.
* Pray for all our elected leaders that their hearts would hear the cry of the poor for justice.
* Support the calls for a Commission of Inquiry into the events of 26
September 2009. Only the truth will set us free.
* Write letters to the press, to government and to the President, calling for justice in
this matter.
* The facts speak for themselves – share them with others. For more information,
visit www.abahlali.org or www.diakonia.org.za
“We continue to say to President Zuma, please, Mr President, show mercy and compassion and hear the prayers and longing for democracy by your people”.
– Archbishop Thabo Cecil Makgoba, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town.
“Are the current powers threatened by a lowly movement of the poor – Abahlali baseMjondolo as Herod was threatened by the newly born Prince of peace? Are the current powers threatened by the practise of true democracy?”
-Bishop Mike Vorster, Methodist Church of Southern Africa
“Our message to the authorities is, we are sick and tired of the way you are treating the poor. The very people who put you into power are the very people who can pull you down. So, do not mess with the people. We are angry that this democracy is being undermined by the very people who are meant to uphold it”.
-Bishop Rubin Phillip, Anglican Diocese of Natal.