Our chairperson in our Barcelona 2 transit camp branch in Lamontville, Mr Simbongile Jujebe, and some members of the local council in the area, have been threatened by unknown men who promised to ‘remove’ them if they continue to organise Abahlali in the area. The Ward Councillor has on many occasions said that she is “the only Councillor in the ward” and that she will “not tolerate people who are creating their own authority”. In an open community meeting the Councillor openly attacked our chairperson threatening him. Two days later the local council of Abahlali were threatened by men who said that they come from the notorious Seventeen Hostel in uMlazi.

The Barcelona transit camp is where the municipality illegally and violently evicted more than 150 families on 16 June at gun point. The movement was able to obtain a spoilation order to reinstate the community back into the transit camp. In evicting the community, the municipality made it clear that they were evicting amaMpondo. After the eviction the transit camps were occupied by people coming from Ekuthuleni, a nearby shack settlement.

The threats directed to our chairperson and the local leadership in Barcelona 2 are very serious as we have faced them before and we know that they’re not just threats. We can’t afford to lose another life again. If anything happens to our chairperson, or any member of the local council in Barcelona 2 Transit Camp, we will hold the Councillor personally liable.

Barcelona 2 is only one of a number of branches in Durban where serious threats are being made against us. It is clear that the Ward Councillors are confident that they have a mandate from the Mayor to make these kinds of threats. And as we continue to face threats, and attacks, from the ANC in Durban the leadership of the ANC in the Province is quiet about this.

The leadership of the movement at national level is also facing serious threats. We continue to receive regular death threats by telephone, and we continue to be advised from credible sources that another hit is imminent. The leadership is unable to do its work of activism as a result of these threats. People have to sleep away from their homes, and their families, or even go underground altogether.

We have even written letters to the office of the President and the Minister of Police asking for their intervention. The letters were written in June. We are still waiting for their response.

Our lives continue to count for nothing in this society. We can be evicted, threatened and murdered with impunity. We will not back down. The struggle for land and dignity continues.

Contact:

Thapelo Mohapi 062 892 5323
Mqapheli Bonono 073 067 3274
Simbongile Jujebe 065 562 4098