eKhenana Commune

[1] According to the Socio-Economic Rights Institute "The eKhenana settlement is organised as a cooperative in which residents collectively run a communal kitchen and tuck shop, theatre, poetry and music projects,[2] and care for a vegetable garden named after the late Nkululeko Gwala [assassinated in 2013] as well as a poultry farm named in honour of the late S’fiso Ngcobo [assassinated in 2018].

[10] Like many occupations in Durban, eKhenana has been subject to a number of attempted evictions by municipal Law Enforcement as well as government-hired private security services.

[15] Inspired by a visit by Brazil's Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (Landless Workers Movement)[citation needed], the community decided to turn the settlement into a productive commune where they collectively produce and share food.

They also set up a collectively run spaza shop where they sold basic items for everyday use as well as produce from the garden.

Dozens of homes were demolished during the various operations and a least one resident sustained serious wounds after allegedly being shot by ALIU officers.

They called for an investigation into police complicity and have also, with the help of the Socio-Economic Rights Institute begun a lawsuit to claim damages from the state.

On 20 August in the early morning, chairperson of the commune and leader of Abahlali baseMjondolo's youth league, Lindokuhle Mnguni was also killed when two gunmen entered the settlement.

[50] Prior to this the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor had issued several statements of concern.