Press Release: Launch of the Campaign for the Human Dignity of Shack Dwellers – December 13, 2005

Tuesday, December 13, 2005
(2 page fax)

LAUNCH OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE HUMAN DIGNITY OF SHACK DWELLERS

Press Conference, Kennedy Road Shack Settlement, Wednesday, 6:00 p.m., 14 December 2005

Abahlali baseMjondolo, the Durban shack dwellers’ movement, will host a press conference to annouce a Campaign for the Human Dignity of Shack Dwellers. The announcement will include details of a campaign of non-violent direct action to begin immediately as well as details of the movements’ position on the local government elections.

14 settlements are formally affiliated to Abahlalibase Mjondolo and the movement has organised a number of mass marches during this year which have made regular national and international news. The first marches were on local councillors Yacoob Baig and Jayraj Bachu. A march was then organised on Mayor Obed Mlaba. The Municipality illegally banned this march. The Freedom of Expression Institute issued a statement condemning the ban as “a flagrant violation of the Constitution and the Regulation of Gatherings Act”. The statement went on to explain that the reasons given by the Municipality for banning the march were “absurd” and without any legal basis.

On the day of the scheduled march, three thousand people met in the Foreman Road settlement, and decided to stage an act of passive resistance against this attack on their basic democratic rights in the form of a peaceful demonstration. It has been widely reported that the police responded with extreme force and that at least two police officers fired live ammunition. A number of protesters sustained serious injuries. Journalists and academics have stated that police officers threatened them with violence if they reported what they had seen and that cameras were confiscated by the police. The Freedom of Expression Institute issued a statement declaring that the Institute “condemns the eThekwini Municipality’s blatant disregard for the rights of marginalized communities to exercise their freedom of expression.” The statement described the police action as illegal on two grounds. The first was that no warning was given to disperse before the police attacked and the second was that there was no justification for the degree of force used in the police attack. The Mercury newspaper lodged a formal complaint against the intimidation of one of its journalists by the police.

No apology has been issued to Abahlali base Mjondolo and there has been no guarantee that the Municipality will, in the future, abide by the constitution and the law and allow Durban’s poorest residents the right to peaceful protest. However the Municipality responded to the demonstration with a high profile and widely reported announcement of a new low cost housing development on Moreland land in North Durban. All requests by Abahlali base Mjondolo for information concerning this development have been refused, and Moreland has distanced itself from the Municipality’s announcement. The Mayor promised to come to the Pemary Ridge settlement to meet Abahlali base Mjondolo to explain what was happening but has cancelled this meeting without explanation.

Peaceful public protest appears to have been illegally banned. The Municipality’s public announcements about a confirmed major new housing development appear to be untrue. Negotiations with the Municipality appear to have been unilaterally suspended. Last night Abahlali Base Mjondolo met in the Pemary Ridge settlement to plan a way forward. It was been decided to launch a Campaign for the Human Dignity of Shack Dwellers. Tomorrow night details of this campaign will be announced to the media.

To get to the press conference drive down Kennedy Road (off Clare Road in Clare Estate) and take the first turn to the right (a dirt road) just after the Municipal Dump. Drive into the settlement and you’ll see a table set up for the press conference. If you see the Simunye store when you are coming down Kennedy Road you have gone too far.

For further information contact:

Mnikelo Ndabankulu, Foreman Road Development Committee, 073 565 6241
Lungisani Jama, Foreman Road Development Committee, 082 259 5443
Philani Dlamini, Foreman Road Development Committee, 072 962 9312
Fikile Nkosi, Pemary Ridge Development Committee, 084 250 1446
Moses Mncwango, Jadhu Place Development Committee, 076 225 0260
S’bu Zikode, Chair, Abahlali base Mjondolo, 083 547 0474

For print quality photographs contact Raj Patel at 0824724937 or raj@voiceoftheturtle.org