Yet another Abahlali baseMjondolo (ABM) activist was killed at the eKhenana informal settlement in Cato Manor recently. The movement claims that 23 of its members have been murdered up to date.

Nokuthula Mabaso (40) was shot dead on Thursday night, May 5, just two months after another ABM leader, Ayanda Ngila, was killed. Mabaso was killed in the presence of her children.

A statement, the shack dwellers’ movement says that Mabaso was shot dead on her way back from a meeting with members about the court case of Khaya Ngubane, who is accused of attacking ABM member, Sniko Miya, with an axe on March 6.

She was shot five times, four (from) the back. The other women rushed to her when they heard the gunshots. She was still alive when they found her. She died in their hands.

“Nokuthula was one of a number of people, who witnessed the murder of Ayanda [Ngila] and could potentially have been a witness if the matter went to trial.

“She was also the main respondent to the eviction case that was brought by the municipality in eKhenana. She played a key role in fighting for the occupation, and in turning the occupation into a commune,” the statement reads.

“A soldier in our movement, who ensured that more than 100 families have land and roof over their heads is no more,” the statement highlights.

ABM alleges that they are being targeted politically. According to the movement, 23 of its members have been killed to date.

Residents say they heard gunshots at about 19:00 on the night of the murder. When they went to investigate, they found Mabaso on her knees and struggling to breathe.

The mother of four was hailed a leader in the eKhenana commune and played a major role in the establishment and management of a chicken farm set up by a group of women.

Residents complained that police were slow to investigate matters relating to eKhenana commune. They claim that ABM deputy president, Mqapheli Bonono, had to personally go to the police station to report the shooting as police did not come when they were contacted by the residents.

Cato Manor police station spokesperson, Captain Christopher Sibiya, says that detectives are investigating the murder of Mabaso.

“Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered a body of a 40-year-old female lying on the floor with gunshot wounds on her upper body. It is alleged that the suspects took the deceased’s cellphone before fleeing the scene. Charges of murder and robbery were opened at the Cato Manor police station for investigation,” says Sibiya.

• Ayanda Ngila was murdered on March 8 when gunmen shot and killed him while he was working in a communal garden in Khenana, Cato Manor. ABM labelled it an assassination in a statement released after his death.

Four days after his murder, another ABM member, Siyabonga Manqele, was also shot and killed.

• According to their website, the Abahlali baseMjondolo (Shack Dwellers) Movement began in Durban, South Africa, in early 2005. Although it is overwhelmingly located in and around the large port city of Durban it is, in terms of the numbers of people mobilised, the largest organisation of the militant poor in post-apartheid South Africa.