ACTIVIST Ayanda Ngila (29) of the Abahlali BaseMjondolo movement has been murdered.
He was shot and killed while fixing the irrigation system at a squatter camp’s communal garden on Tuesday, 8 March.
Ayanda’s murder comes two days after he was welcomed back with a celebration into the settlement which was held on Sunday at eKhenana squatter camp near Cato Manor.
It is alleged that Ayanda, deputy chairman of the movement’s eKhenana settlement, was attacked by four armed men.
In September last year, Ayanda, along with five other activists, were released from prison after being held for more than six months on charges of murder and conspiring to murder Vusi Shandu. Shandu died after an attack in Cato Manor in March 2021.
Ayanda and his co-accused were released after the prosecutor revealed there was insufficient evidence linking the suspects to the murder. Ayanda was again arrested in January this year on charges of murder and was released on bail on 22 February.
After his release he went into hiding.
The movement’s president Sbu Zikode, who was last year awarded with the Switzerland Per Anger Prize for being a champion and defender of the rights of the homeless, said the eKhenana settlement has come under relentless violent attack. “On Sunday, Ayanda and others were welcomed back to the community from the second period in prison in a beautiful celebration of solidarity,” said Zikode.
“Ayanda is a martyr in the struggle for land, dignity, freedom and socialism.”
Ayanda is the 20th movement activist to be killed since 2009. In September 2014, the movement chairwoman in KwaNdengezi, Thuli Ndlovu, was assassinated.
Three men were later sentenced to life imprisonment by the Durban High Court.
In May 2013, the movement’s regional chairman Sifiso Ngcobo was assassinated.
Another member Thembinkosi Qumbela was assassinated in March 2013.
Shortly after Qumbela’s assassination in June 2013, the movement leader Nkululeko Gwala was also assassinated. No arrests have been made in the other assassinations.
KZN police spokeswoman Colonel Thembeka Mbele said the deceased was with his friend outside his house when four men ran towards them and fired shots. “The deceased was shot several times on the body and head. He was certified dead at the scene,” said Mbele.
