The Assembly of the Unemployed (AoU) calls on the Minister of Police, Mr Bheki Cele and the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola to urgently address the senseless killings of Abahlali baseMjondolo leaders. This follows the murder of Lindokuhle Mnguni, who was the chairperson of the eKhenana Commune two weeks ago.
Mnguni was a witness to the murder of another Abahlali leader, Ayanda Ngila who was murdered in March. 28-year-old Mnguni is the third Abahlali leader to be killed this year. We have been witnessing the relentless onslaught and attempts to destroy the movement through infiltrations, assassinations, and brutalization of AbM activists for over 10 years.
We say enough is enough and we won’t stand aside and watch attacks on organized communities and grassroots organizations that are at the forefront of trying to change and address the material conditions of communities. We call on the government to prioritise these murder cases and ensure that justice is served and the murderers are brought to book.
South Africans must be vigilant. These targeted assassinations of Abahlali activists is also an attack on the struggle for land and dignity. We know that these threats and arrests are not faced by Abahlali alone. Across the country, those fighting state and corporate abuses are being intimidated, threatened, arrested, and even killed.
What has been allowed to happen to Abahlali activists brings into sharp focus the intensifying assault on our democratic freedom. The justice system has failed Abahlali activists, giving legitimacy to the notion that Black lives don’t matter. As AoU we refuse to remain silent while brutality against innocent human right defenders continues unchallenged. Black lives do matter and it’s time to convict the perpetrators.
As AoU we believe that these unabated attacks are a threat to our collective freedom and a threat to our democracy. We therefore, call on all social, religious and youth movements to stand in solidarity with Abahlali to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
For more information contact:
Motse Kokoma, AoU Coordinator: 073 490 7623
Siyabulela Mama, AoU Coordinator: 065 970 7079
The post Statement: We demand justice for Abahlali baseMjondolo! appeared first on Assembly of the Unemployed (AOU).
