Reclaim the City leader killed
Ayanda Denge led the struggle for affordable housing Ayanda Denge led the struggle for affordable housing
The body of a social housing activist has been found at a Green Point building she and about 100 others had been occupying for months.
Ayanda Denge of Reclaim The City (RTC) was stabbed to death on Sunday in the Helen Bowden Building, which activists have renamed the Ahmed Kathrada House.
Ayanda had identified as a trans female and was one of the leaders of the movement fighting for affordable housing in the city.
RTC says she was last seen alive by a colleague shortly before sunset and was found dead in her room a few hours later.
Denge’s death comes almost a year after that of fellow activist, Zamuxolo “Rasta” Dolophini.
He was also stabbed to death, allegedly by a private security officer who had apparently been contracted by the provincial government to look after the occupied building.
Clashes between guards and the illegal occupiers apparently led to his death.
PAST VICTIM: Dolophini
The matter is still before court.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana says that Ayanda’s death is being investigated.
“Sea Point police are investigating a case of murder following the discovery of a body of a man in his thirties in a flat in Helen Bowden Building, Granger Bay on Sunday evening,” she says.
Friends say Ayanda “had found her purpose” with RTC after spending years living on the streets of Cape Town where she did sex work.
“Ayanda will be remembered for her resilience and commitment to empowering those around her. She was a talented poet,” RTC spokesperson Mona Asher said on Tuesday.
SCENE: Reclaim the City occupies Ahmed Kathrada House near V&A
“She was elected as a house leader less than a month ago to lead our struggle for decent housing. We had all looked forward to her leading the first RTC women’s group at Ahmed Kathrada House.”
The electricity and water is off in the building and Asher says this placed occupiers’ lives in danger.
“The house is pitch black at night. While the City may disagree with our reasons for occupying, they should be ashamed of themselves for putting politics before the safety and dignity of residents,” Asher said.