issued 9th March 2022
The Assembly of the Unemployed (AoU) is appalled and aggrieved at the orchestrated and targeted killings of the Abahlali base Mjondolo (ABM) members and leaders. These murders and killings have been going on for many years. Those who have already been buried are too many to count. It is very clear these killings and murders are deliberate and planned. They have been reinforced by systematic police harassment of ABM leaders that have been going on for years.
The latest victim of these senseless killings is now Ayanda Ngila who was a leader in the Abahlali base Mjondolo commune called Khenana in Durban. Ayanda was a brave, brilliant and committed young man. He was brutally murdered on the 8th March 2022 by four men who are known by the Khenana commune.
These murde
s and killers come from a group that has constantly been attacking the Khenana commune. They have burnt homes and vandalized infrastructure in the commune. What the AoU does not understand is why the police have not acted against these criminals and murders.
Before his murder Ayanda like many other Abahlali base Mjondolo leaders, was subjected to constant police harassment. He was released from a six-month jail term on charges that were dropped because they were bogus.
The AoU which is a forum of social movements of communities struggling for jobs, service delivery, houses and dignity condemn these killings. Abahlali BaseMjondolo works together with the AoU for a better life for all. We say hands off our comrades!
The police harassment must be investigated and must end now. The criminals and murders must be apprehended and put to jail. These killers and murders are known. The police must do their work.
We call on all social movement around the country, in the villages, in the townships, on farms to march to their nearest police station and demand that the harassment of brutal murdering of ABM leaders and members to end now!
ENDS
For comment:
- Ntokozo Ncongwane 081 016 2338
- Khokhoma Motsi 073 490 7623
- Siyabulela Mama 065 970 7079