After ten months in prison, five of the Kennedy 12 set to be released
13 July 2010
Yesterday, one day after the World Cup final, five activists from Kennedy Road, a shack settlement in Durban, South Africa, were told they would be set free after spending 10 months in prison without trial. The five activists to be freed today were among the Kennedy 12, a group of activists affiliated with Abahlali baseMjondolo, a War on Want partner organisation, who were arrested following attacks on Kennedy Road in September 2009.
The attacks by armies of thugs on Kennedy Road, the former home of Abahlali's headquarters, lasted two nights and left two people dead, many homes destroyed and thousands displaced. The leaders of Abahlali and the Kennedy Road Development Committee were forced to flee and many are still in hiding out of fear for their lives.
The ANC leadership in KwaZulu-Natal publically endorsed the attacks and said the settlement had been "liberated".
No evidence has been brought against these activists since their arrest. On the basis of eyewitness reports, Abahlali has asserted that the 12 men arrested were victims of the attack, and that the attackers, who threatened to kill their group's leaders, remain at large. Seven of the Kennedy 12 were previously granted bail, whilst five of the men have been rotting in prison for the last 10 months, unable to provide for their families, who have been left destitute.
Yesterday, after 11 appearances in court, the Kennedy 12 were set to stand trial. The trial has been highly politicised and yesterday neither the accused nor witnesses for the state appeared in court, forcing a postponement. The magistrate moved the date of the trial to 29 November. But justice finally prevailed as it was announced that five of the men will be granted bail and set free today, and will return home to a welcome ceremony organised by Abahlali.
For more information and regular updates please see Abahlali's fantastic website.
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