By Neelam Rahim

Another activist linked to the shack dwellers organisation Abahlali baseMjondolo has been assassinated. Lindokhuhle Mnguni, the chairperson of the eKhenana Commune and the Youth League, was assassinated at the Commune in KZN at the weekend. The organisation has seen several leaders, including women, assassinated over the past years.

Joining the discussion with Radio Islam International, the president and founder of the organisation, S’bu Zikode, expressed his condolences to the family and supporters of the deceased.

According to S’bu, at around 1:30 am on Saturday, two shooters gunned down Mguni in his Cato Manor home.

He says Mguni was hit by a hail of bullets and was not alone when the shooting occurred. His partner Sindiswe was shot three times and is critically fighting for her life, while Lindokhuhle Mnguni died on the scene.

Within 4 to 5 months, Abahlali baseMjondolo has similarly lost four activists. These activists have been loved and were an inspiration to the movement.

Due to much concern, Abahlali has reported these incidents to all the safety institutions of the government. Conversations with the Minister of police from early as last year November included pointing out what Abahlali had foreseen and for him to intervene—which he has never done, added S’bu.

“The matter was further reported to the South African Human Rights Commission and the director of public prosecution. These institutions have failed us.”

According to S’bu, there has been a pattern regarding the killings of Abahlali. The local police are involved in supporting the murderers who are known to Abahlali.

He says there is a local pastor who has been arrested for the killing of Nokuthula Mabaso on the 5 of May. He is also a local ANC leader and linked to the local Taxi Association.

“There is an alliance between these killers who are known in the community and local municipality as well as the police.”

S’bu tells Radio Islam that Abahlali possesses all kinds of evidence as this has been going on for a very long time, yet no one is prepared to investigate.

Meanwhile, in the next step to combat this, S’bu urges the people of South Africa in favour of peace and humanity to come out and reject the killing of people in KZN and elsewhere because all law enforcement has failed Abahlali.

Regarding the motivation behind the killing of Abahlali leaders, S’bu said one is the question of land. The second is exposing the high-ranking officials implicated in corruption in Ethikwini.

 “Abahlali are whistleblowers who are been killed but will continue to say the right things which need to be said in this country without fear.”

Listen to the full interview on Radio Islam’s podcast below.