Letter to High Commisioner for South Africa

His Excellency Dr Zola Sidney Themba Skweyiya,

High Commissioner for South Africa,

South African High Commission,

South Africa House,

Trafalgar Square,

London,

WC2N 5DP.

11 November 2009

Dear Sir,

We note with disappointment the lack of response to our previous letter. We are further disappointed to see that the only response you have made so far to enquiries about this matter (to the development organisation War on Want) displays a inadequate grasp of the facts of the situation and fails to address the concerns raised.

To reiterate: We are aware that currently, as an apparent result of their peaceful democratic political activities 13 South African citizens are in Westville prison, eThekwini, on undisclosed charges, and that others are in hiding, having received public death threats from ANC supporters.

We are highly concerned about the situation of the Kennedy Road 13 - Simbongile Magaqana, Samkeliso Mkokelwa, Zamandla Mazeka, Fundisile Nkoyi, Nkosisizwe Njiyela, Khaliphile Jali, Zandisile Ngutyana, Thobuxolo Mazeka, Simvumile Limaphi, Thokozani Mtwana, Situtu Koyi, Sicelo Mambi and Sibulelo Mambi - and the situation of other Abahlali activists, in particular S'bu Zikode, president of the movement, Mashumi Figlan, president of Kennedy Road Development Committee, and Zodwa Nsibande, secretary of the Abahlali baseMjondolo youth league.

Noting the many years of struggle in South Africa against a violent and oppressive regime ruling for the interest of small minority, it is with dismay that we witness the use of violent oppression against those who in the new dispensation stand up to speak out against their suffering and request that their human dignity be recognized. We request your assurances that South Africa remains a democracy which recognises the rights to freedom of belief, expression and assembly recognised in your constitution.

We are calling for the immediate release of the Kennedy Road 13, currently imprisoned because of their political beliefs, and an end for the threats and persecution against all Abahlali members, shack dwellers and community activists.

Copies of this letter have been sent to the UK and SA media.

Yours sincerely,

Abahlali baseMjondolo Solidarity Group