20 December 2016
Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement SA Press statement
2016: A year of progress for our movement
The year 2016 has come and gone. As we move from one year to another we need to reflect on the year that has been.
2016 has been a good year in the movement. Since our movement was formed in 2005 we have been subject to serious repression – including slander, various kinds of dirty tricks, assault, arrest, torture, the destruction of our homes and murder. There has been impunity for this repression which has mostly come from the police and the ruling party. But during this year, as a result of long struggle and building various kinds of alliances, we made a major break through against impunity for repression. Two ANC ward councillors and a hired hit man were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Thuli Ndlovu, who was our chairperson in the KwaNdengezi branch. The High Court also denied the two councillors (Mduduzi Ngcobo and Velile Lutyeku) and the hit man (Mlungisi Siphesihle Ndlovu) leave to appeal. This was a turning point in the movement since for the first time those who are usually considered to be above the law were given prosecuted, convicted and given a hefty sentence. This sent a clear message to those who continue to repress and murder activists that the arm of the law is long. This case took more than two years to be concluded. Continue reading