The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) on Monday demanded the release of arrested land activist Ann Eveleth, threatening unspecified action if she remained in custody.
”If Ann Eveleth is not released immediately, the national assembly of the LPM will take a decision on what action to undertake. We shall not be intimidated and we shall not be silenced,” the LPM said in a statement.
”The LPM hereby calls upon the responsible authorities, including the Minister of Home Affairs Mangosuthu Buthelezi, to immediately release our friend and comrade Ann Eveleth from detention.”
Eveleth, a US national who has lived in the country for several years, was arrested on Thursday when she visited fellow activists in prison.
She is currently a representative for the National Land Committee.
The activist was being held at Kempton Park police station as a ”prohibited person” because her temporary residence permit has expired.
Eveleth was reportedly in the process of applying for an extension when she was arrested.
Home Affairs acting director-general Ivan Lambinon on Monday said Eveleth would remain in custody until her urgent application was heard by the Pretoria High Court later this week. He confirmed that Eveleth’s lawyers had served court papers on the department on
Monday morning.
The case would probably be heard in the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday.
Eveleth’s lawyer Chris Watters said the application was aimed at securing Eveleth’s release from jail and staying any removal from South Africa until the issue of her status was resolved.
In its statement, the LPM said its interim national council met in Soweto on Sunday to discuss ”the harassment meted against the LPM and its sympathisers.”
The statement said Eveleth’s arrest was ”nothing but the continuation and intensification of the harassment of the LPM by the state.
”The Council have come to the single conclusion that the arrests, assaults and harassment by the police and the National Intelligence Agency are calculated to intimidate and disrupt the activities of the LPM, particularly the week of the landless and the legal protest on August 31,” the statement continued.
The LPM also said its leaders have been threatened with arrest if they ”dared” to participate in protests, supporting communities had been threatened with forced removals and still others have been
told if they participated in LPM activities they would not receive land claimed in terms of the Restitution Act. – Sapa