The eKukhayeni branch had held a well-attended mass meeting on
Saturday 19 May and had reported threats. This is typical of a pattern of
impressive local organisation followed by threats and then violence, including
assassinations. Abahlali baseMjondolo have endured considerable violence,
including a horrifying number of assassinations over the years.
Abahlali baseMjondolo is a democratic organisation, with tens of
thousands of members. It is doing vital and courageous work in the interests of
social justice. Abahlali baseMjondolo is a grassroots movement of poor shack
dwellers in Durban, Pinetown, Pietermaritzburg and other parts of the province
and of the Western Cape. The movement advocates for the rights of people living
in shacks including access to decent housing, services and education. Its
members have been the targets of ongoing intimidation and physical attacks due
to corruption at the local political level, and since 2007, including Sibonelo Patrick Mpeku, seven members of
Abahlali baseMjondolo have been killed and others have been persecuted.
It is essential that other forces in society committed to social
justice, insist that the repression of this movement be stopped. We need to
engage Abahlali baseMjondolo as call to conscience, and as a call to justice.
For more info: www.abahlali.org or read the article at the Sunday Times
