06 June 2001
The Newcastle District (KwaZulu Natal) of the South African Communist Party (SACP) will hold a picket outside the Newcastle Magistrate's Court from 09h00 on Friday, 08 June 2001. The aim of the picket is to demand that charges against Comrade Charley Maduna, the SACP District Deputy Secretary, must be dropped.
Comrade Maduna was arrested on Saturday, 26 May whilst SACP supporters and the community of Doornpoort farm in Dannhauser were supporting the burial of the eldest son of the Msimango family in the farm following a refusal of the burial by the farm owner (a certain Mr. Manus Geldenhuys).
This case, once more highlights apartheid land ownership patterns, which are buttressed by racism and police brutality in the Newcastle District. In this regard, the Newcastle District of the SACP led a big march on 27 April and submitted demands to the police and local government for action to stop racism and police brutality and to accelerate land reform. To this day, these demands have not been replied to. The picket will also demand that these demands must be responded to and met in full.
The prosecution of Comrade Maduna represents the continuing prosecution of poor and working people by racism and the deepening capitalist order in our society.
The SACP calls for the intensification of the struggle against police brutality and racism and for accelerated land reform. The SACP calls on all farm-workers, residents of, and organisations in Dannhauser and Greater Newcastle to support Comrade Maduna and this struggle by joining the picket on Friday, 08 June.
CONTACT
Smiso Nkwanyana
SACP KwaZulu Natal Provincial Secretary
Cell: 082 468 7184
OR
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity (SACP)
Tel: 011 339 3621
Fax: 011 339 4244
Email: sacp1@wn.apc.org
Cell: 083 651 0271