*Statement by the eMacambini community to follow tonight or tommorow*
(Previous press alerts below)
On Nov 26, 2008, the eMacambini community marched about 10km to the Mandeni Municipal offices to protest against the proposed R55 Billion Amazulu World Development Project that threatens to evict more than 10,000 families living in the area. Residents, living on communal land are members of an indigenous and traditional Zulu community. Residents presented their grievances to Prof. Musa Xulu who received it on behalf of KZN Premier S’bu Ndebele. Among other demands in the memorandum was that the Premier must respond to their grievances by the 3rd of December (yesterday). The Premier has failed to respond and acknowledge the grievances of the community.
As a response, the community had blockaded the Northbound side of the N2 freeway early this morning with rocks and burning tyres for more than six hours. It was a peaceful and nonviolent action by the community meant only to cause political damage and economic inconvenience.
Police then came and shot 13 people with rubber bullets and then proceeded to arrest a large number of residents. Three people are now in the hospital in critical condition because of the police’s violent actions against residents. Of the people arrested, only four people are known to be in the local Inyoni Police Station. The location of the other people who were arrested is not known at this time.
Residents have now resolved to hold a Community Mass Prayer and Mass Meeting this coming Saturday the 6th of December to chart a way forward.
Residents have opened up a crisis office which is being manned by Rev Mavuso from the Rural Network. You can contact Rev. Mavuso in the crisis office at him at: 035 474 2790
You can also contact Rev. Thulani at 082 588 3740
Please contact the following people from the Anti-Removal Committee (some may have been shot or arrested or may otherwise be unable to answer their phones:
Moffat Chili: 073 409 8625
Herbert Mbambo: 082 309 1637
Bheki Lushozi: 083 885 1448
Shando: 083 684 4562
For background information, visit the Stockpile of information on the eMacambini/AmaZulu World evictions
For the previous press release by the eMacambini Anti-Removal Committee, click here
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