Memorial Service for Nkululeko Gwala

29 June 2013
Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement

Memorial Service for Nkululeko Gwala

On Wednesday 26 June 2013 at around 21:30pm, Nkululeko Gwala, an Abahlali baseMjondolo member and a well-known and respected housing activist, was assassinated in Cato Crest. Twelve shots were fired at him and he died on the spot. He was the second housing activist to be killed in Cato Crest this year.

Abahlali baseMjondolo will be holding a Memorial Service for Nkululeko Gwala tomorrow, Sunday 30 June 2013. The service will take place at the Cato Crest Sports Ground in Mayville from 09:00am to 12:00pm. There is a strong feeling of fear in the area but we are still are expecting at least 500 shack dwellers from around Mayville and surrounding areas to attend the memorial.

This government is waging war on the poor. We are being left without basic services and we are disconnected, evicted and forced into transit camps. When we resist we face lies, the banning of our protests, assault, the destruction of our homes, torture, prison and murder. Housing for the poor is being abused as a way for politically connected people to become millionaires. Politicians are behaving like gangsters. The big construction companies are also corrupt.

Struggle is our only hope. We have survived repression before and we will continue to stand our ground despite this murder. Our struggle has been forced to be a struggle for democracy as well as a struggle for land and housing in the cities.

For more information please contact:

Bandile Mdlalose: Abahlali baseMjondolo General Secretary (084 557 5090)
S’bu Zikode: Abahlali baseMjondolo Former President (083 547 0474)
Thina Khanyile: Abahlali baseMjondolo Deputy Secretary (078 289 1314)