the most despicable murder
Today marks the first anniversary of Babita Deokaran's shoot. We salute her and regret that it took Gauteng Premier David McClar a year to appoint her. launch an independent investigation for her murder.
In this context, maverick citizen's Editor lamented last week that the end of apartheid did not stop assassinations of political opponents. We wrote that South Africa had become an “assassination nation.”
But little did we know when we wrote these words, that the assassins were planning to kill yet another leader of the Hut Dwellers movement. Abahlari Base Mijondoro.
saturday morning, Lindhule Mnguni was shot. At his home in Ekenana Settlement, Durban. He was 28 years old. The mother of his child was also shot and is hospitalized. He is the third Abahlari leader to be killed this year and the 24th overall.
Lindfoole was killed because he, like the Inkatha warlords, did not complain and bow down before the criminal warlords wearing ANC colors. This was because they were fighting against the deprivation of expected economic and social rights of the poor. Just like Thomas Mandla Tshabalala was killing all his opponents in KwaZulu-Natal in the 1980s and 1990s.
lindhuhle Mnguni, Abahlari Base Mjondolo Chairman Ekenana settlement in Durban, He was also killed because he was fighting all the problems that were happening in South Africa.. (Photo: Abahlari Base Mijondoro)
Certainly, there is a connection. The warlords changed their party uniforms, but not their seats.
The collapse of KwaZulu-Natal should serve as a warning to the rest of South Africa of what will happen if the ANC's Radical Economic Transformation (RET) faction takes over. and when the rights of the poor are neglected. The rule of law has been abolished and replaced with the rule of guns.
Abahlari General Secretary Thapelo Mohapi explains: in this videoKZN activists say they have “no hope or trust in the South African justice system, especially the police, who have shown no urgency in responding to the murders in Ekenana.”
Civil society needs to show solidarity with Abahlari (see below), but it also needs to demand an independent investigation into the killings of the 24 people and the reasons underlying them.
But the problem goes even deeper.
Nokuthula Mabaso, leader of Miyondoro, Abahlari base, was shot dead in his home in front of his children. Ekenana settlement in Durban. (Photo: Ground Up)
Ayanda Ngira, leader of Abahlari Base Mjondoro, was killed while repairing water pipes in a food field. Ekenana settlement. (Photo: Provided)
Constitutionally, South Africa cannot allow its second most populous state (population 12 million) to be held to ransom by political thugs and its freedom of political life and expression suppressed. This is especially true in the run-up to the crucial 2024 elections, when the ANC's electoral dominance in the state is threatened.
As a veteran violence monitor Mary de Haas repeatedly points out thatwhat is under threat in KZN is democracy itself.
This is an issue that civil society and organizations like the South African Human Rights Commission must begin to address very seriously.
What are your plans?
shame on south africa
Over the past few months, Operation Dudura and the war drums of several political parties, especially ActionSA and the Patriotic Front, have constantly threatened to trigger a new outbreak of violent xenophobia, primarily targeting black people in other countries across Africa. I've been doing it.
Saftu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi Evidence that South Africa is combustible is the rising suicide rate among young people;We can't even protect girls in school from rape and violence.'. (Photo: Galo Images/Papi Morake)
Fortunately, we have not yet seen violence on this scale. Xenophobia in 2008 or 2015However, individual murders, arson, and threats are occurring one after another. An atmosphere of constant threat is created.
The tragedy is as daily maverick was exposed yesterday In our story about inner-city buildings in Johannesburg, we found that there is a climate of fear and anxiety among immigrant communities. As a result, many are choosing to return home and face the threat of hunger and war in their countries of origin.
we should be ashamed of ourselves.
Africa will hold us accountable.
But instead of governments trying to build an environment of tolerance and diversity, instead of distancing themselves from these threats, instead of countering the fake news linking social crises to immigration, people like Aaron Motsoaledi and Bheki Cele Ministers like him are shamefully fueling that crisis.
Until now Concerns raised by human rights experts within the United Nations.
Marchers protesting attacks on immigrant communities in Johannesburg. (Photo: John Moore/Getty Images)
There are other ways to manage migration. The ANC must stop propping up and prolonging “comrade governments” in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and the Democratic Republic of Congo. rob their country blindly and kill and intimidate enemies.
It will work decisively to alleviate the hunger and unemployment crisis and improve policing and law and order across South Africa and the region, as called for by the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) and many other organizations. It is about taking action.
Saftu and civil society cost of living strikes
On Wednesday, August 24, 2022, Saftu, Cosatu and many working-class civil society organizations, including TAC and Abarari, are planning a nationwide shutdown.
read daily mavericks explainer of shutdown here.
The closures are in protest of the escalating cost of living crisis, which is currently sparking strikes and protests from Mozambique to other parts of the world. Sierra Leoneand all over the world.
Migrants from several African countries are camping outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Pretoria due to xenophobia. (Photo: Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius)
At a press conference on Monday, Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi asked: “Do we want to wait for the powder keg to explode or should we act now?”
There is no doubt that South Africa's social fabric is rapidly fraying.
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Prices of basic food items continue to rise.read here How little food can be bought with the R350 social distress relief grant that eight million people depend on. Unemployment is at an all-time high and health services are collapsing.
Still, South Africa's rich are getting richer.
Bavi cited the rising suicide rate among young people (suicide is the second leading cause of death in the 15-29 age group) and the fact that South Africa is combustible.We can't even protect girls in school from rape and violence.”.
It couldn't get any worse.
Unless you can do that.
The government's response is to remain silent and press ahead with further austerity plans to be announced in October's medium-term budget policy statement.
In the face of the state's failure to protect the fundamental rights to dignity, adequate food and life. stubbornly and illegally maintaining a discredited fiscal policy;And indeed, by failing to stop massive corruption and tax evasion, Saftu and his allies Call for R1 trillion stimulus package for social spending.
As expected, organized businesses are already complaining about the economic and investment damage the strike will cause. But with the economy already in ruins, this is cold consolation for those who are shut out of the economy or brutally exploited by foreign investment in mines and technology platforms. like uber.
Women picket in Constantia Circle in Cape Town on August 8, 2022, protesting gender-based violence, hunger, poverty, unemployment and neglect from governments and big business. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)
The tacit agreement of business excludes organizations like Saftu and civil society from bargaining bodies like Nedrak, and bypasses them in “social compacts” and economic recovery negotiations.
Saftu therefore has every right to exercise his constitutional right to protest. Furthermore, every individual and business in our country has a duty to act to protect the lives of the poor. It's not just labor unions.
“It's time to stand up, unite and force change,” says Bavi. But Saftu made it clear that “extremist groups that scapegoat black migrant workers and distract attention from the real crisis” are not welcome.
Unemployment and despair are widespread in Klipprat.of Every individual and business in our country has a duty to act to protect the lives of the poor. It's not just labor unions. (Photo: Donna van der Watt)
Responding to claims that immigrants are causing a crime wave, Bavi asked, “Who is responsible for law and order? The migrant workers or the government?”
South Africans should be happy that the protests are being organized by a trade union movement that is open about its own agenda and demands, rather than the xenophobic and criminal RET wing of the ANC.
Nevertheless, closure is a risky strategy as South Africa is on the brink of anarchy. It is incumbent upon trade union leaders and the SAPS to take every step in the next 48 hours to ensure that the protests do not become hijacked, turn violent or lead to further destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods.
But the greatest responsibility lies with governments to take steps to address the social crisis and restore the country's constitutional promise of social justice. DM/MC
Abahlari Base Mijondolo is appealing for donations to support the families of Mnguni, Ngira and Mabaso. Below are the account details and PayPal link. If you would like your donations to go directly to her three affected families, please include this reference in your payment: MNGUNI
Compliant Owner Name: Abahlali Base Miyondro Movement SA.
Bank: First National Bank (FNB); Compliance number: 62786238230
Swift code: FIRNZAJJ
paypal.me/Ahurari
