GENEVA - UN experts* today deplored the killing of Zweli "Khabazela" Mkhize and urged South Africa to ensure accountability.
"Mkhize's murder forms part of a sustained pattern of violence and killings targeting human rights defenders within the Abahlali baseMjondolo movement," the experts said.
"Such heinous acts of violence constitute a direct assault on the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms."
On 20 January 2026, Mkhize was shot and killed by two men in the eNkanini occupation. Prior to his murder, he had been subjected to death threats as a result of his opposition to the illegal sale of local land.
"Zweli 'Khabazela' Mkhize, a leading member of the Abahlali baseMjondolo movement, was renowned for his dedication to the protection of housing and land rights in South Africa," the experts said.
They warned that land rights defenders face heightened vulnerability to attacks and threats to their lives in retaliation for their human rights work, stressing that robust measures must be put in place to ensure their effective protection in line with the State's obligation under international law.
"We urge South Africa to ensure a prompt, effective, impartial and thorough investigation into the killing and to take all necessary measures to hold those responsible accountable," the experts said.
