Letter demanding the release of Max Ntanyana, all other detainees, and an end to repression in South Africa delivered to south african trade office in Toronto - the campaign is building...

Monday, September 16th, 2002 - 1pm (EST)
Toronto, Canada

At least two letters were delivered to the South African Trade Office in Toronto today, demanding the release of Max Ntanyana, all other detainees, and an end to repression in South Africa. The second letter was delivered by a delegation of 10 activists from various organisations, including the Polaris Institute, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP), the New Socialist Group, the Council of Canadians, Trade Unionists and Turtles (TNT), Toronto Public Space Committee and others.

The delegation filled the Trade Office and upon presenting the letter, staff called building security who swiftly shuffled the group out claiming that we "had no right to be there" because it was "private property". Security attempted to move the group off the sidewalk outside on similar claims. A "Free Max Ntanyana was left hanging on the door of the office.

Today's action marked the beginning of a comprehensive campaign in Toronto to build solid opposition to repression of political dissent in South Africa in the interests of global capital. Events to follow will biuld up to a mass action planned for the trial of the Kensington 87 in October.

Solidarity with South African comrades is strong!
Phansi Capitalism!

For more information, please contact kare...@hotmail.com. Below is the letter delivered to the Consul.
_________________________________________

Ms. Busi Chauke
Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner
South African Trade Office
Toronto, Canada

September 16, 2002

RE: Detention of Max Ntanyana and political repression in South Africa

Dear Ms. Chauke

We, the undersigned, demand the immediate release of Max Ntanyana and the dropping of all charges against him and other fellow members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) and the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign who have been arrested for their involvement in anti-eviction activities and strikes against privatisation.

Max and others arrested in recent months form part of a growing and militant movement that is determined to protect the rights and dignity of poor and working people who are being abused by the state, banks, and private interests through evictions, water and electricity cut-offs, privatisation, and deteriorating working conditions. It is evident to us that in the case of the recent SAMWU strike of water and sanitation workers, the local subsidiary of a powerful multinational, Suez, is colluding with the state and is thereby complicit in the repression that has been unleashed against Max and others in order to protect their corporate interests.

These arrests prove that the ANC government will continue to silence legitimate dissent in order to facilitate the enrichment of multinational corporations and of a new South African elite by means of a campaign of sheer repression of political dissent. This is a gross violation of the human, civil, and political rights that are supposedly guaranteed to all South Africans under the Constitution. Police violence during the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg, where a Canadian activist was also injured, is evidence of the ever-narrowing political space in the ‘new’ South Africa and is reminiscent of Apartheid era excesses. Such actions are unacceptable and deplorable, and in light of this, we make the following demands:

1. The immediate release of Max Ntanyana and all those still in detention as a result of bogus arrests in recent months, particularly during events surrounding the WSSD;

2. The dropping of all charges laid against the members of the Anti-Eviction Campaign, SAMWU workers, Landless People’s Movement, Anti-Privatisation Forum, Soldier’s Forum, the Kensington 87, members of Independent Media, both national and international, and others who have been targeted;

3. That the ANC government and the South African Police Forces be held accountable for their reprehensible actions, publicly accept and acknowledge all responsibility, and extend an official apology to all those harassed, detained, charged, and injured in events leading up to, during, and after the WSSD;

4. That the ANC government and the South African Police Forces recognise and respect the rights to political expression, freedom of assembly, and all civil, political, and human rights guaranteed to South Africans under the Constitution;

5. An end to privatisation, service cut-offs, evictions, and the abolishment of all private security forces used by the state and private corporate interests.

Signed:

Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP)
Polaris Institute
Council of Canadians