30 July 2018 – Phumula Mqashi Land Occupation Press Statement
The Phumula Mqashi Land Occupation in Tembisa on the East Rand was founded on 13 February 2018. It has been coming under sustained, illegal and often violent attack from the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD). Shacks and people’s possessions have been repeatedly burnt.
We have taken the EMPD a lawyer’s letter informing them that their actions are illegal but it has made no difference. They returned today, at around 10:00, and stayed until 12:50. They burned 266 shacks and assaulted almost everyone. They used tear gas and rubber bullets. They even chased elderly people and pregnant women. Many of us are injured. One person has been very badly assaulted. They undressed him and then started beating him up. They burnt all our belonging including mattresses, clothes and children’s stuff for school.
This is a war on the poor. We will not turn back and we will continue to occupy the land. There is no future behind us. The future lies in front of us and our courage will take us there.
The registration numbers of the vehicles used by the JMPD in this illegal and violent attack are CP 15 ND GP, RF 23 PW GP and XTY 092 GO.
The Ekurhuleni Municipality on the East Rand is mobilising the same brutal repression against impoverished people who are occupying land as the eThekwini Municipality in Durban. They will meet the same resistance if they continue to choose violence over negotiation.
Siyhlala ngenkani.
Khethiwe Linda 083 899 1717
Fortunate Mahlangu 072 813 1416
Abahlali baseMjondolo
