Diakonia Council of Churches Press Statement
21 November 2009

Diakonia Council of Churches condemns the ongoing attacks and targeting
of homes, property and lives of members of Abahlali baseMjondolo

Last night, the homes of members of Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM), two of the
original Kennedy Six, were attacked and demolished by the same mob of
people who continuously and repeatedly perpetrate these deeds on known
members of the organisation.

Despite many phone calls to the Sydenham Police Station to intervene, not
one person has been arrested for the attacks.

Abahlali baseMjondolo - Emergency Press Release
19:22 Friday 20 November 2009

Demolitions Continue in Kennedy Road

The same mob that attacked Abahlali baseMjondolo and the Kennedy Road Development Committee on 26th September; that trashed the Abahlali office and systematically destroyed the homes of Abahlali leaders while police and politicians looked on on 27 September; and that followed the violent purge of Abahlali from the settlement by installing an ANC committee is, right now, demolishing Mondli Mbiko's home in the Kennedy Road settlement. A short while ago they demolished Mzwake Mdlalose's home.

Five of the Kennedy 6 - the picture was taken on 13 April 2007 after their release on bail after 23 days in prison and 14 days on hunger strike

Yesterday all charges against the Kennedy 6 were dropped just over a year after the men were first arrested.

The basic chronology of events is as follows:

The Kennedy 6 were arrested on a clearly trumped up murder charge on 21 March 2007 after a well known criminal who had previously been apprehended in the settlement and handed over to the police died in police custody. While in custody they were assaulted and an attempt was made, by Senior Superintendent Glen Nayager, to force them to chant anti-Abahlali slogans. They refused.

Today the Kennedy 6 appeared before the magistrate at the Durban magistrate's court.

This was a hearing for an application to reverse or relax conditions of bail that were granted last month, 13 April 2007. The main condition to be relaxed or amended was the one that prohibits the accused to set their foot at Kennedy Road settlement fearing that they may, (not they will) interfere with or intimidate witnesses. The state prosecutor opposed the application stating the above concern. However the defence lawyer argued against this concern in that it is not based on any fact but on a suspicion. Laying the judgement the magistrate said that there is no evidence that witnesses were being, or will be intimidated, even if they were intimidated there are mechanisms to deal with that within the justice system. Therefore the court is satisfied with the conditions relaxed and the 6 comrades can go back to Kennedy Road and be with their families. They will appear before him on the 3rd July 2007 for the ruling of the Director of Public Prosecution. The magistrate mentioned that the reason for granting of bails is so that people may continue with their lives whilst the court hearing is pending. Over-jubilance overwhelmed supporters and the accused. Outside the court there was chanting and hugging, and in his speech S'bu Zikode reassured comrades saying that unconditional support will be given to comrades because this war is everybody's war, until land and housing is delivered.