Nomsa Sizani, a human rights defender and former General Secretary of the Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM), is facing imminent threats to her life. The threats followed her allegedly questioning government officials who were in the community on 17 March, to speak about a development taking place there. The threats began the next day and have escalated…
Participants will learn about the concept of access to adequate housing as a fundamental human right and the struggles faced by human rights defenders through the real story of Thapelo Mohapi and his community in South Africa. As part of the activity, participants are encouraged to write a letter to the authorities to demand justice…
Sikhosiphi Rhadebe, land rights activist and chairperson of the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC), was shot dead in March. Shortly before his death he learnt that his name was on a ‘hit list’ and so were those of two other leaders of the ACC. There are concerns over how the investigation of Sikhosiphi Rhadebe’s murder is…
No further attacks have been reported in Mamelodi, Pretoria since 12 June. However hundreds of Somali and Ethiopian refugees and asylum-seekers remain displaced and concern remains for their immediate welfare and their ability to re-integrate back into the community in the long-term.
Attacks on foreign-owned shops in Mamelodi, Pretoria, have left two refugees dead and dozens reported injured. At least 75 shops have been looted. The situation in the township northeast of South Africa’s capital city, Pretoria, remains tense. Refugees and migrants are being evacuated from the area by civic groups but there is concern for the…
Following an Urgent Action in October 2012, the South African government has met with Amnesty International and committed to investigate our concerns about forcible closures of asylum-seekers and refugees’ shops in South Africa’s Limpopo province
Hundreds of asylum-seekers and refugees in South Africa’s Limpopo province are being pushed into destitution because police are forcibly and without notice closing their shops and seizing their goods. Traumatised by this harassment, many victims may be coerced into returning to the countries from which they originally fled. The shop closures began from late June…
Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of Vasi Ntuli, a member of the ANC, who has not been seen since he was shot and abducted on the morning of 29 March 1999.
There have been further attacks made against members of the Ntuli family by police and members of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP). The latest incident occured as JJ Ntuli and 15 others came under fire while waiting for bus transport to attend a May Day rally. Police arrested JJ Ntuli, his brother Bongani and 14…
There is concern for the safety of members of the Msweli family following the killing of Musa Msweli and two other men, and threats made against other members of the family. Musa Msweli was shot dead in unclear circumstances by police on 20 April 1995 together with two other men, Khulekani Nkwanyana and Mbuyiseni Mnguni.…
AI welcomes further positive steps which the Eastern Transvaal authorities have taken to address the concerns of the Driefontein community. Since late January 1995, responsibility for investigating killings and harassment of Driefontein activists has been passed to a special investigation team.
Harassment of the Ntuli family and of other local families perceived as ANC supporters has continued since the funerals of Grace Ntuli and Thulani Mbatha on 29 and 30 January 1995. This action gives information about incidents on 10 February, 19 February and 25 February. In the 25 February incident, about 250 armed police and…