NUMSA stands in solidarity with Abahlali baseMjondolo following the assassination of yet another leader

23 August 2022

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) stands in solidarity with Abahlali baseMjondolo following the assassination of yet another one of its leaders. Lindokuhle Mnguni the chairperson of the eKhenana Commune and the Youth League was assassinated on Saturday morning. The largest shack dwellers movement in the country has been experiencing persistent attacks over the years where several of its leaders have been killed and in total, ABM has lost 24 leaders to assassinations either by the police or izinkabi (hitmen). The movement is still mourning the loss of Nokuthula Mabaso who was killed in May and Ayanda Ngila who was murdered in March.  NUMSA condemns the cowardly killers who committed this heinous act!

Mnguni was a brilliant thinker and intellectual. He has been described as a ‘radical’ who was a proud Communist and internationalist. ABM has described him in the following way,

“A brilliant young man with a great future in leadership. He was a fearless leader and stood for his community. He was always humble yet strong. He always dedicated his time to the people. Mnguni was well known on the left and in Pan Africanist circles. He believed that we are the Biko of today, that we must understand that we are on our own and stand up for ourselves and our humanity. His passion for the people of eKhenana showed when he spoke.  We lost a real cadre of the left, of the movement of the people, of the real struggles of the oppressed.”

Even while living under constant threat of arrest Lindokuhle was in solidarity with the struggle against the monarchy in eSwatini and he led a delegation to that country when PUDEMO lost a comrade. 

As NUMSA we align ourselves with the statement issued by the SRWP on his untimely passing:

“Mnguni understood the words of the Internationale, the world working-class anthem, when it says “no saviour from on high delivers, no faith have we in prince or peer”. The ANC led government has failed Abahlali in many respects. Not only has it inflicted impoverished material conditions leading to landlessness, the ruling party has been silent and has not bothered to condemn these brutal acts of violence perpetrated by the local ANC in ward 101, in Cato Manor. This year alone Abahlali have lost three leaders - Ayanda Ngila on 8 March and comrade Nokuthula Mabaso on 5 May, and recently comrade Mnguni became the 24th leader of Abahlali to be assassinated. The persecution of Abahlali comrades shows a clear nexus between their fight for land, housing and dignity and the extremely violent response from those connected to political power in the area.” 

We demand that the SAPS must find those responsible and arrest and prosecute them speedily. We condemn the ANC led government for turning a blind eye in the face of such extreme violence against this movement and its members.

NUMSA sends its deepest condolences to the entire ABM, and also to the family and friends of comrade Lindokuhle. We are committed to continue fighting for Socialism in our lifetime, in order to honour his memory and we will not surrender until this has been achieved.

Aluta continua!

The struggle continues!

Issued by Irvin Jim, NUMSA General Secretary, 23 August 2022