Kwa-Zulu Natal Church Leaders support Abahlali and call for a Commission of Enquiry into the Attacks on Kennedy Road

Written by ANiSA Associate

On 20 April 2010, the shack dwellers movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo released a statement speaking out against the sustained intimidation, oppression, and violence that Abahlali have endured at the hands of the ruling party, the ANC, specifically the organized attack against them on Kennedy Road on 28 September 2009.

The Kwa-Zulu Natal Church Leaders group have issued a statement saying that they are outraged by this and can no longer remain silent. The church leaders state that despite the 27 April celebration of Freedom Day, South Africa has been marred more by un-freedom, then by freedom, especially for the masses of the poor.

The church leaders believe that Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, show us perfectly how justice, life, and freedom can and will be attained in our world. They state that, “The life of the resurrected Christ is present in the world when members of the body continue to live out that promise of life and justice, against the forces of death and injustice.” The church leaders praise the efforts made by Abahlali basMjondolo for their effort to keep hope in the resurrection alive.

The Kwa-Zulu Natal Church Leaders have echoed the call of Abahlali for the oppression and intimidation to stop. In particular, they are concerned about the situation on Kennedy Road, where, on top of the injustice they are facing, people are being imprisoned without evidence against them. The church leaders have also declared that they are standing behind Abahlali in their push for the creation of an independent and credible commission of inquiry into the attack and ongoing intimidation on Kennedy Road. Bishop Rubin Phillip is supporting this initiative and wants to get the commission underway as soon as possible.