It complained police were not doing enough to investigate and curb targeted killings against its members. SAHRC KZN provincial manager, Pavershree Padayachee, said a letter to the president had revealed the sad reality faced by the activists. "The letter was pursuant to the SAHRC's receipt of complaints regarding the plight of Abahlali baseMjondolo relating to the assassination of its members and complaints about inadequate housing, access to water, sanitation and highmast lighting." Last year, on July 17, Khayalihle Gwabuzela was found guilty of the murder of Ayanda Ngila, deputy chairperson of Abahlali baseMjondolo's eKhenana branch. Acting on behalf of the movement, the SocioEconomic Rights Institute Seri welcomed the ruling as a significant step towards achieving justice for the family of Ngila, and the entire eKhenana commune. At the time, Ngila was the first of four Abahlali baseMjondolo members killed in 2022, at the height of the most recent politicallymotivated killings. He was gunned down on March 8 at the eKhenana Commune in Cato Manor, eThekwini. "We welcome the involvement of the SAHRC in our matter," said Abahlali's Aphelia Bonono. Padayachee decried the lack of progress in some of the reported cases, indicating that only two convictions have been secured by the authorities in connection with these killings. Most killings were in informal settlements, making them easy to be ignored by law enforcement agencies, she said. Over the years, the commission says, it has been engaging the eThekwini Municipality regarding the socioeconomic challenges faced by shack dwellers. Speaking to the SABC, SAHRC Com missioner Philile Ntuli said more than 24 activists of the movement had been killed in the past 14 years. "The number of assassinations of Abahlali baseMjondolo members is exponentially high... without any investigations." Other activists who have died include Siyabonga Manqele, shot and killed by masked police officers on March 11, 2022, in eNkanini settlement; Nokuthula Mabaso, shot and killed on May 5, 2022, in eKhenana; and, Lindokuhle Mnguni, shot and killed in eKhenana on August 20, 2022.

Source: The Mercury