Event Summary
On 12 February 2026, Zweli Mkhize known as “Khabazela”, a local leader and treasurer of the eNkanini branch of Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM), was shot and killed in the eNkanini informal settlement in Ellandale, Gauteng. According to eyewitness, a Renault vehicle pulled up outside the house where Mkhize was visiting a friend. Two armed men reportedly jumped out of the vehicle and opened fire without warning, shooting him multiple times and sped off. Mkhize was declared dead at the scene. Mkhize is survived by his wife and three children.
Reports indicate that Mkhize had received threatening phone calls in 2025 prior to his killing. Following the incident, six members of the eNkanini branch council have reportedly gone into hiding after receiving threats to their lives.
Mkhize was widely respected within his community and AbM. As branch treasurer, he was known for his integrity, transparency and commitment to ensuring that community decisions reflected the collective will rather than personal interests.
Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM) is a grassroots shack dwellers’ movement established in 2005 that advocates for land, housing and dignity of impoverished people by raising concerns about unlawful evictions, corruption in housing allocation and political interference in local development processes. Since 2009, AbM has reported a pattern of intimidation and threats culminating in the death of at least 25 leaders and members of the Abahlali baseMjondolo in circumstances linked to their activism. Mkhize’s killing brings the total number to 26. Justice has reportedly been served in only two of these cases
CSOs including the Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA) have strongly condemned the attack and have called for South Africa to:
- Conduct urgent, independent, impartial and transparent investigations into the killing of Zweli Mkhize and all previous killings of Abahlali baseMjondolo.
- Ensure the immediate protection of Abahlali baseMjodolo and safety of the six members of the eNkanini branch council who have gone into hiding due to security threats in line with protections guaranteed under national, regional and international legal frameworks.
- Arrest and prosecute not only the gunmen but the mastermind of this heinous crime targeting Abahlali baseMjondolo members and community activists.
- Establish a dedicated national protection mechanism and oversee enactment of a model law protecting all human rights defenders.
This incident directly undermines respect and protection of fundamental freedoms by weakening democratic participation at the grassroots level and eroding constitutional guarantees that protect the right of individuals and groups to organise, mobilise and advocate peacefully for their socio-economic rights.