Statement by Global Peace & Justice in Auckland, New Zealand

30 September 2009

Media Release:

Attacks on Abahlali baseMjondolo (Shackdwellers) a reminder of apartheid South Africa in the 1980s

GPJA has sent an urgent message to the South African High Commissioner to New Zealand, Mr Mongalo, demanding police support and protection for those attacked in the Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban South Africa.

At least three people have been killed, many injured and over a thousand have fled their homes after these murderous attacks took place earlier this week.

The attacks were aimed at the leadership of Abahlali baseMjondolo by a gang associated with local African National Congress officials.

It is a reminder of the brutality which was commonplace in the dark days under apartheid.

Instead of the police and local officials coming to the defence of the people and arresting the killers, they instead arrested community leaders associated with ABM. Local ANC officials have blamed ABM for the violence.

Most New Zealanders will not have heard of Abahlali baseMjondolo but the organisation represents more than a million of South Africa’s shackdwellers. It is the largest movement of the poor in South Africa. It was established to work for policies to deliver to the 80% of South Africans who have seen no improvement in their circumstances after 15 years of ANC governments.

It is a deeply democratic movement which hosted former anti-apartheid activist John Minto earlier this year.

“It was a great privilege to meet with people working together to build a community- based fightback for the millions deprived of basic opportunities under ANC policies. The Kennedy Road settlement which I visited in April this year is a sea of shacks and deprivation but where community strength has been flourishing.”

“The local ANC officials have seen ABM as a rival organisation and have been working through local bodies and elsewhere to try to stifle the movement and intimidate its leaders.”

New Zealanders protested against the violence which underpinned the old apartheid system. Most of those who protested are disgusted at the violence now being used to underpin the ANC government’s economic policies which are leading the majority deeper into poverty.

John Minto

Spokesperson

Ph (09) 8463173 (H)

(09) 8469496 (W)

Note: Although Abahlali’s actions, such as the resistance to the Slums Act, may benefit millions of shack dwellers the movement had only just over 10 000 paid up members at the time of the last AGM – November 2009. There were functioning branches in 54 settlements across KwaZulu-Natal and in Cape Town. There were 14 settlements that had decided to collectively affiliate to the movement.