Ayanda Kota
Ayanda Kota is an activist who was the founding chairperson of the Unemployed Peoples' Movement in Grahamstown, South Africa.[1][2][3] He is also the President of the Makana Football Association.[4] His political roots are in the black consciousness movement[5] and he is strongly critical of the ruling African National Congress.[6][7]
Arrest and Alleged Assault
On 12 January 2012 he was arrested on a charge of theft after failing to return three communist books that he had borrowed from a local academic. It has been alleged[8] that he was subject to serious police assault while in custody.[9][10][11] A number of organisations issued statements in response to the arrest.[12][13][14][15] Kota later stated that he had misplaced the books in question and had repeatedly offered to replace them and that this offer has been clearly communicated to the police.[16]
All charges against Kota were withdrawn a month after the arrest.[17]
Selected Articles by Ayanda Kota
- SA, we cannot say we are free, Ayanda Kota, Afro-Spear, 2011
- Malema does not speak for poor youths, Ayanda Kota, Mail & Guardian, 2011
- Secrecy Bill shows ANC's historic mission is over, Ayanda Kota, Mail & Guardian, December 2011
- ANC centenary a display of elite power, Ayanda Kota, Links, January 2012
- Time for radical action on the unemployment crisis, Ayanda Kota, Pambazuka, 17 May 2012
- Apartheid petty and grand, old and new is evil, Ayanda Kota, Pambazuka, 26 April 2012
- The Marikana mine workers massacre: a massive escalation in the war on the poor, Ayanda Kota, San Fransisco Bay View, 18 August 2012
References
- ^ Occupy South Africa on the Global Occupy Map
- ^ Mixed feelings after Centenary celebrations, South African Broadcasting Corporation, 9 January 2012
- ^ Kota steps down, Stuart Thembisile Lewis, Student News Grid, 10 May 2012
- ^ Makana stars shine at soccer awards, Malibongwe Maxhawulana, Grocott's Mail, 14 March 2011
- ^ Dissident Voices from South Africa, IndyMedia UK
- ^ Ayanda Kota: Unapologetic ANC apostate, by Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, 7 February 2012
- ^ Eastern Cape's so-called health system: In dire need of resuscitation, by Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, June 2012
- ^ Ayanda Kota Assaulted in the Grahamstown Police Station - Under Arrest, Unemployed People's Movement
- ^ Outcry over ‘savage assault’, ADRIENNE CARLISLE and DAVID MACGREGOR, The Daily Dispatch, 14 January 2012
- ^ Grahamstown activist arrested for book theft FARANAAZ PARKER, Mail & Guardian, Jan 13 2012
- ^ UPM leader arrested and allegedly beaten by police, Desiree Schirlinger & Michael Salzwedel, Grocott's Mail, 13 January 2012
- ^ Students for Social Justice Statement on the Arrest of Ayanda Kota, Students for Social Justice
- ^ Ayanda Kota: We are all in the same boat, The Mandela Park Backyarders
- ^ Drop Charges Against Ayanda Kota, Democratic Left Front
- ^ Release Ayanda Kota Now!, Abahlali baseMjondolo
- ^ Ayanda Kota's Response to Claudia Martinez-Mullen, January 2012
- ^ No charges, but cops still want to throw the book at Kota, FARANAAZ PARKER, Mail & Guardian, 2012
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