Click here to read this article in Italian.

Statement from Bishop Rubin Phillip
21 July 2010
Why a full and independent enquiry remains vital

Over the past months we have continued to receive strong support for our intention to convene an independent Commission of Enquiry into the awful violence that was visited on the shack settlement of Kennedy Road in September 2009. Only such an enquiry will really help us all sift truth from lies, and establish a full picture of the events and their ongoing aftermath, as well as the full context and implications of what has happened. From community organisations and senior church leadership in this country, to community-based organisations in London and justice groups in congregations in Scotland, to senior international figures in the churches and the human rights scene, we have been moved and encouraged by their commitment to and active interest in finding the truth. These developments, together with the extraordinary support and wise counsel of many we are working with on the matter, keep us resolute and confident. Confident not only that the Commission process will happen but that when it does, it will deliver an outcome of unquestionable integrity. The necessary groundwork to facilitate the Commission's work is under way.

Justice on Trial
A statement at the commencement of the trial of the Kennedy 12
11 July 2010

In September 2009 attacks took place in the Kennedy Road settlement against the leadership of the shack-dwellers' movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo. Those attacks shook our society, and led some to observe that our hard won democracy was under attack. As the trial finally commences on Monday 12 July 2010 against those whom the state has chosen to prosecute in relation to the attacks, we remain deeply dismayed and critical of the fact that no-one has been arrested and charged:

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/a.bishops.pursuit.of.justice.for.south.africas.shack.dwellers/26028.htm

A bishop's pursuit of justice for South Africa's shack dwellers

The Bishop of Natal in South Africa, Rubin Phillip, speaks here about the struggle for justice for the nation's shack dwellers and his commitment to seeing those in suffering take charge of their own destiny.

by Emma Pomfret, Christian Aid Thursday, June 3, 2010

The first black South African to hold the position of Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Natal, and chairman of the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council (KZNCC), Rubin Phillip is currently in the UK to raise awareness about the plight of the Durban-based shack-dweller movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo.

This statement was released on 26 April 2010

PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE KWAZULU-NATAL CHURCH LEADERS GROUP

As church leaders in KwaZulu Natal, we have noted a public statement (see footnote) released by the shack dweller’s movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo on Tuesday 20 April 2010. This statement makes explicit the continued, criminal and violent intimidation of members of Abahlali in Kennedy Road by elements of the ruling party, the ANC. This violence, oppression and intimidation continues the sustained attack on Abahlali in Kennedy Road, the low-light of which was surely the organised and violent attack launched in the night on September 28th of last year. We are not just disturbed by Abahlali's most recent statement, we are outraged and we cannot remain silent.

Laying an Axe to the Roots

An Advent Message from the KwaZulu-Natal Church Leaders Group

Luke 3:1-20 John the Baptist Prepares the Way

"A voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.
And all humankind will see God's salvation.' "

During this season of Advent we are particularly aware of the coming of Christ into our lives, the breaking in of the Word of God into our society – to denounce, disrupt, challenge but also to bring hope: “thy kingdom come, thy will be done”.

Click here to read this document in word.

DIOCESE OF NATAL ANGLICAN CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

http://www.isolezwe.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5266707

Olwasemijondolo lungenelelwe yiBandla lamaSheshi

November 30, 2009 Edition 1

CELANI SIKHAKHANE

ABEBANDLA lamaSheshi KwaZulu-Natal bathi bazosungula uphenyo oluzimele ngezigameko zokuhlaselwa kwabahlali basemijondolo yakuKennedy Road.

Leli bandla likusho lokhu ngemuva kokuzwakalisa ukunganeliseki ngendlela amaphoyisa aqhuba ngayo uphenyo ngokubulawa kwabantu okwenzeke ezinyangeni ezimbalwa kuleya mijondolo .

UMbhishobhi waleli bandla, uRuben Phillip, uthe ngenxa yokunganeliseki ngokuphenya kwamaphoyisa, sebethathe isinqumo sokuba bazisungulele bona uphenyo oluzimele noluzocacisa kabanzi ngokuhlukumezeka kwabantu kuleya mijondolo .

28 November 2009
Diakonia Council of Churches

'Produce the evidence’, demands Bishop Rubin Phillip

Anglican Bishop Rubin Phillip has demanded that the state provides evidence in the case against the Kennedy Road 13, or release the accused.

Bishop Rubin Phillip was addressing about fifty people, mostly church leaders and family members of the Kennedy 13, who had gathered for a prayer service organised by Diakonia Council of Churches, at the Durban Magistrates’ Courts.

In a moving speech Bishop Rubin said, “What we are demanding from the state is that they provide the evidence that these men did wrong. If they did indeed do anything wrong, then prosecute them. If there is no evidence, release them now.”

http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global[_id]=31596

Churches want justice
25 Nov 2009
Jared Sacks

BISHOP Rubin Phillip, one of the most respected Christian leaders and anti-apartheid activists in South Africa, last week published a landmark statement calling the court proceedings of the Kennedy 13 “a moral and legal outrage that amounts to detention without trial by means of delay”. He has also used the words “kangaroo court”, “political agenda” and “a travesty of justice” to describe the legal process.

Grave Concerns about the Detention without Trial of the Kennedy Thirteen:

This Travesty Must End

18 November 2009

After their 6th inconclusive bail hearing today, it is now abundantly clear that the legal process for the Kennedy 13 is a complete travesty of justice. They are scheduled to appear again on the 27th November. By that time, some of accused will have been in prison for 2 months without trial - two months in prison without any evidence being presented to a court and without a decision on bail. This is a moral and legal outrage that amounts to detention without trial by means of delay. In our view, it borders on unlawful detention. I am, tonight, issuing a call for their immediate release - justice has been delayed far beyond the point at which it was clear that it had been denied.