Update: After sustained pressure, and a tense stand-off outside the Umlazi police station, Bheki Buthelezi was finally released just after 7 p.m.

18:27 23 June 2012
Abahlali baseMjondolo Emergency Press Statement

Unemployed People's Movement (UPM) activist Bheki Buthelezi was arrested at his home in Umlazi early this morning. Activists from the UPM and Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM) immediately made their way to the Umlazi police station to demand his release.

The police have been playing ducks and drakes with the protesters at the police station all day. At first they said that Bheki would be released by 2, then at 2 they said that the protesters need a lawyer to get Bheki out. After tense negotiations R500 bail has been paid but now the police are saying that they don't have bail forms and that these have to be fetched from the Isipingo

police station before Bheki can be released.

The situation between the police and the protesters outside the police station has been extremely tense. The police sent for reinforcements and have been very, very aggressive and threatening. The comrades outside the police station say that they 'fear that there will be another Tatane in Umlazi'. However the
protests will continue until Bheki is released. There can be no compromise with repression.

For comment from outside the police station please call:

Mnikelo Ndabankulu, Abahlali baseMjondolo Spokesperson: 081 309 5485
China Ngubane, Anti-Xenophobia Activist: 072 651 9790

For comment on the broader situation of protest, repression and resistance the
media can also contact the following comrades who are all in direct contact
with the comrades protesting outside the Umlazi police station:

S'bu Zikode, Abahlali baseMjondolo: 083 547 0474
Ayanda Kota, Unemployed People's Movement: 078 625 6462
Mazibuko Jara, Democratic Left Front: 083 651 0271