Death of Nqobile Nzuza
Nqobile Nzuza was a resident in the Marikana Land Occupation in Cato Crest in Durban. She was a member of the shackdwellers' social movement Abahlali baseMjondolo.
On 30 September 2013, at the age of 17 years, Ms Nzuza was shot dead during an ant-eviction protest by Marikana residents.[1] Witnesses say she was shot in the back of the head and in the back while running from police during a protest in Cato Crest area. It is also claimed that she was shot by the Cato Crest station commissioner.[2][3]
Police admit to shooting Nzuza and another resident but claim they were acting in self-defense.[4]
The death has cause significant controversy. Abahlali baseMjondolo's then general secretary, Bandile Mdlalose, was arrested during a subsequent protest at the Cato Crest police station. There were also a range of letters and statements on the matter by well-known US based academics such as Noam Chomsky[5] and Anglican Bishop Rubin Phillip.[2]
Notes and references[edit]
- ^ Nqobile Nzuza, a 17 Year Old School Girl, Shot Dead with Live Ammunition by the Cato Manor SAPS, Abahlali baseMjondolo, 30 September 2013
- ^ a b Abahlali baseMjondolo: The fight goes on, Greg Nicolson, Daily Maverick, 7 October 2013
- ^ Marikana Continues: Statement on the murder of Nqobile Nzuza, Abahlali baseMjondolo, 3 October 2013
- ^ In Durban's Cato Manor: Death by protest, death by dissent, Khadija Patel, Daily maverick, 1 October 2013
- ^ Letter from Chomsky, Zizek, et al to Jacob Zuma, President, Republic of South Africa, 4 October 2013
See also[edit]
- Marikana Land Occupation (Durban)
- Abahlali baseMjondolo
- Nkululeko Gwala
- Political repression in post-apartheid South Africa
- Protests in South Africa
