Schoolgirl slain in violent protest

A 17-year-old schoolgirl, Nqobile Nzuza, was shot and killed during violent protests in Cato Crest near Mayville yesterday. The shooting occurred during a housing march organised by the shackdwellers movement, Abahlali Basemjondolo in protest against what it describes as illegal evictions in Cato Crest.

In a media statement, the organisation said the Grade 9 Bonella High School pupil who was one of its supporters, was shot twice by police. Luleka Makhwenkwana, another protestor, was shot in her arm and is recovering in King Edward Hospital.

The organisation slammed what it called “shoot to kill policing,” saying this was the crackdown that police and politicians had promised on protests.

According to reports a woman resident claimed to have seen a policeman known to residents, not in uniform, draw his weapon and fire. She said she had run to help Nzuzu who was lying on the ground bleeding, and saw police take the policeman who fired his weapon and drive off with him. He returned to the scene later dressed in uniform.

Col Jai Naicker, police spokesman, said police in a police vehicle had been faced with an angry mob armed with sticks and stones. He said police had heard gunshots from the mob and had fired shots which caused the suspects to flee allowing the offiers to reverse the van and go back to the station for back up. When they returned, they found the two women had been hit. Naicker said the allegations made against the policeman were untrue as the officer in question was at home asleep at the time of the shooting.

There have been a number of clashes with police and the municipalities Land Invasions Unit and the Cato Crest shackdwellers. According to Abahlali Basemjondolo, Nkosinathi Mngomezulu was shot in the stomach by an member of the Land Invasions Unit on 21 September during an illegal eviction. “Our members have been assaulted in the Cato Crest police station after evictions and protests and yet no action is taken against officers who beat our members. We have been subject to nine illegal evictions in Cato Crest,” said a spokesperson for the organisation in the media statement.

Bandile Mdlalose, secretary-general of the movement was detained. Police said she was inciting violence, but she denied the accusation saying her rights had been violated.

Community Safety MEC Willie Mchunu visited the scene and was pleased to hear the matter is to be investigated by the Independent Police Directorate. He said people had a constitutional right to protest but would not be allowed to incite violence. He said he would be meeting with city officials, all stakeholders and the family of the slain schoolgirl.