16 November, 20:42
Abahlali basePemary Ridge Press Statement

All Charges Dropped Against the Pemary 13, But Someone Needs to Answer for Police Attacks

Abahlali basePemary Ridge is happy that all charges were dropped against 13 of our members, who were arrested in a brutal attack last Friday by the Sydenham police.

Abahlali has said, since 2005, “My lawyer is my neighbour.” In court today, the Pemary 13 were not represented by a lawyer, but by the Chairperson of Abahlali baseMotala Heights , Shamita Naidoo, who learned about justice through years of experience working in her community, and about the law seeing case after political case brought by police against shack-dwellers. Shamita spoke powerfully and with a lot of anger against the police violence so common in Abahlali communities, and in all shack settlements.

Update, 16 November 11:45 - All charges against the Pemary Ridge 13 were dropped in the Pinetown Magistrate's court this morning.

Update, 14 November 12:55 - The Sydenham Police continue to deny repeated explicit requests from the prisoners, and their families and comrades, for the injured detainees to receive medical attention.

This man was rushed to hospital after being beaten during the police attack on Pemary Ridge. Click here to see more pictures taken in the aftermath of the attack and here to read some brief notes on the attack.