Nkululeko Gwala

{{short description|Assassinated resident of Cato Crest, South Africa}}

Nkululeko Gwala (died 2013) originally from Inchanga in KwaZulu Natal, was a resident of Cato Crest, which is part of Cato Manor in Durban, and a supporter of the Marikana Land Occupation (Durban). He was also a prominent member of the shackdwellers' social movement Abahlali baseMjondolo and chairperson of their Cato Crest Branch.[http://abahlali.org/node/9839 Nkululeko Gwala Murdered in Cato Crest], Abahlali baseMjondolo, 27 June 2013[http://thinkafricapress.com/south-africa/political-violence-south-africa-growing-pains-democracy-or-adolescence-anc Why Are Political Killings Increasing in South Africa?], James Bullock, Think Africa Press, 21 October 2013[https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/concern/dissertations/d504rm12m The Struggle for a Second Transition in South Africa: Uprising, Development and Precarity in the Post-Apartheid City], Yousuf Al-Bulushi, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Department of Geography, 19 March 2019 He was assassinated on 26 June 2013.[https://www.seri-sa.org/images/CPN_Abahlali_Report_FINAL_WEB.pdf Abahlali baseMjondolo: Living Politics], Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, September 2022

Activism

In the wake of the assassination of Thembinkosi Qumbelo, a prominent ANC housing activist in Cato Crest, Nkululeko Gwala came to the forefront as the primary leader of that community. He, along with Cato Crest community members then decided to leave the ANC and join the shack-dweller's movement Abahlali baseMjondolo. He then became a leading figure in the struggle against housing corruption in the area which resulted in him being targeted by the ANC.[https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/concern/dissertations/d504rm12m The Struggle for a Second Transition in South Africa: Uprising, Development and Precarity in the Post-Apartheid City], Yousuf Al-Bulushi, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Department of Geography, 19 March 2019

Death

Gwala was assassinated on June 26, 2013 after unnamed gunmen opened fire and he was shot 12 times.{{cite news |last1=Nene |first1=Nkululeko |title=KZN protest leader shot 12 times |url=https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/kzn-protest-leader-shot-12-times-1538500#.Uc0-ZfkwfUU |accessdate=22 September 2019 |work=IOL |date=27 June 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327074957/http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/kzn-protest-leader-shot-12-times-1538500#.Uc0-ZfkwfUU |archivedate=27 March 2016 |language=en}} This was following a controversial community meeting with eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo and ANC regional chairperson Sibongeseni Dhlomo in which Mr Gwala was singled out as a trouble maker.[http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-07-31-kzn-anatomy-of-an-assassination/#.UlmonLP0Fok Anatomy of an assassination], Niki Moore, Daily Maverick, 27 June 2013[http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/b8a413ee-f855-11e2-92f0-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2dKeHpEuTSouth Africa: Killed for crying foul], by Andrew England, Financial Times, 26 August 2013

[http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/kzn-protest-leader-shot-12-times-1.1538500#.Uc0-ZfkwfUU Protest leader shot 12 times], Abahlali baseMjondolo, 27 June 2013 Abahlali baseMjondolo claims that Dhlomo also announced at the meeting that Mr Gwala would be "sorted out".[http://abahlali.org/node/9839 Nkululeko Gwala Murdered in Cato Crest], Abahlali baseMjondolo, 27 June 2013

The movement says Nkululeko Gwala was assassinated for exposing corruption in Cato Crest and that the community knows the identity of the gunman who they say also killed housing activist Thembinkosi Qumbelo. They claim the gunmen are associated with a local ANC councillor named Ngiba.[http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-07-31-kzn-anatomy-of-an-assassination/#.UlmonLP0Fok Anatomy of an assassination], Niki Moore, Daily Maverick, 27 June 2013[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2013/07/511105.html Nkululeko Gwala Murdered in Cato Crest], Indymedia UK, 27 June 2013 No one was ever arrested for Gwala's assassination. However, nine years later, Councillor for Ward 101, Mkhipheni Mzimuni Ngiba, was arrested for the murder of Siyabonga Mkhize who had won the ward, displacing Ngiba from that position.[https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-05-30-raid-cato-crest-says-monitor-as-anc-councillor-charged-with-murder/ KZN’s political ganglands: ANC councillor arrested for predecessor’s murder], Daily Maverick, 30 May 2022[https://www.citizen.co.za/witness/news/anc-councillor-charged-with-killing-another-councillor-seeks-bail/ ANC councillor charged with killing another councillor seeks bail], Citizen, 5 August 2022

Gwala was buried in his home town of Inchanga in a politically charged funeral.[http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/emotions-bared-as-gwala-buried-1.1541885#.Ulrq3rP0Fok Emotions bared as Gwala buried], IOL, 4 July 2013

No one has been arrested for the murder of Gwala.[https://www.seri-sa.org/images/CPN_Abahlali_Report_FINAL_WEB.pdf Abahlali baseMjondolo: Living Politics], Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, September 2022

Nkululeko Gwala

Activism

Death

See also

Notes and references

See also