Two deaths, dozens of injuries and counting…An investigation into politically motivated violence against the LPM in Gauteng

Two deaths, dozens of injuries and counting…

Investigation into politically motivated violence in eTwatwa (Gauteng) and other Landless People’s Movement affiliated settlements during May 2010

prepared by Jared Sacks for the Gauteng Landless People’s Movement
5 July 2010

Click here to download the report in pdf.

Introduction

Reports of political violence in South Africa are on the upsurge. There has been a clear increase in aggressive attempts to undermine social movement activities in the past few years. As a result of the violence, social movements activists, migrants and ethnic minorities have often been forced into exile from their communities.

The following report investigates allegations of politically-sanctioned and coordinated attacks on the Landless Peoples Movement in the informal settlement area of eTwatwa in the Municipality of Ekurhuleni in Gauteng. These attacks have resulted in the forced removal of numerous residents who have, as a direct consequence of the attacks, been forced from their homes and, often, into hiding. This report focuses on the historical context behind the attacks as well as how the attacks have affected the relevant communities.

This report is based on interviews conducted during the first weeks of June 2010. The interviews focused on the experience of landless people in eTwatwa in which 15 community-members were interviewed both individually and in groups. Interviews were also conducted with members of the Protea South community. Unless otherwise cited, all the information contain within the report is the product of these anonymous interviews and empirical evidence gained from the investigations into the events of May 2010.

For comment from the Landless People’s Movement please contact:

Dan Mofokeng (eTwatwa) 078 679 9435

Clement (eTwatwa) 078 571 4927

Edward Leople (eTwatwa) 083 885 5009

Solly (eTwatwa) 078 498 3280

David Mathontsi (eTwatwa) 073 914 9868

Tsepo (eTwatwa Youth) 078 839 4874

Maureen Mnisi (Protea South) 082 337 4514

Bongani Xezwi (Protea South) 071 043 2221

Maas Van Wyk (Protea South) 079 267 3203

Thomas Maemganyi (Protea South) 072 613 2738

Bazino Lihlebi (Harry Gwala) 084 704 4144

Johnson Nokutwana (Harry Gwala) 078 240 5538

Moray Hathorn (lawyer for LPM) 083 266 1081