Monday, 17 September 2012
Unemployed Peoples’ Movement Press Statement

Bheki Buthelezi Arrested

Comrade Bheki Buthelezi has been arrested again. He has been arrested on bogus charges of damage to property and assault.

Comrade Bheki is being arrested for the fifth time only in two months, between August and September 2012 and all charges withdrawn at court at a later stage. This is a sheer harassment of activists!

This is ridiculous.

We will give a detailed statement later today!

Ayanda Kota
0786256462

Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Unemployed Peoples’ Movement Press Statement

Bheki Buthelezi released on R1 500 bail

Bheki Buthelezi was detained overnight and police bail was refused. However he appeared in court this afternoon. UPM members and AbM members were there to support him. He was released on bail of R1 500 which was paid by members of the community in the Zakheleni shack settlement in Umlazi.

This arrest is part of the longstanding and ongoing pattern of repression of independent grassroots struggles around the country which has come to a head in Marikana. We call on all progressive forces in South Africa and around the world to unite against growing repression by the ANC and we strongly condemn the statement by COSATU, the SACP and the ANC in which trade unionists have shamefully joined the attempt to justify the outrageous repression in Marikana.

For comment please contact:

Bheki Buthelezi (KZN UPM spokesperson): 072 639 9893
Ayanda Kota (UPM spokesperson): 078 625 6462
Mnikelo Ndabankulu (AbM spokesperson): 081 309 5485