Protesters seek justice for Myeni

PROTESTERS gathered in Honolulu in the US on Friday to demand justice for Lindani Myeni following the release of new doorbell video footage contradicting the police’s initial version of events on the night of his murder.

Led by Lesley Gabrielle, an economist and activist, organisers said they were channelling the spirit, determination and power of Nelson Mandela, calling for the police who murdered Myeni to be held accountable.

A soundtrack compiled for protest featured Master KG’S Jerusalema remix, Brenda Fassie’s Black President, Nkosi Sikelel’iafrica Ladysmith Black Mambazo as various songs from the Sarafina soundtrack, a movie about a young black South African struggling for freedom during the apartheid years.

Last month, Honolulu judge Dean Ochiai, ordered police to release unedited body camera footage and the city to hand over emergency calls made during the estimated time of Myeni’s death to his lawyers.

The new video revealed that Myeni was at the wrong address and had intended to go to a temple next to the home where Sabine Wang, the woman who contacted police, was staying with her husband.

Upon realising that he had entered the wrong establishment, Myeni is heard calmly apologising and seen leaving the home. However, Wang was already on the phone with police and had informed them that there was an intruder in the home. The video also showed that when police arrived at the scene, they tasered and shot Myeni multiple times before identifying who they were.

Nonhlanhla, Myeni’s aunt and family spokesperson, told the Sunday Tribune that the family did not wish to be drawn into the latest developments.

“Lindani’s matter opens up our unhealed wounds. We cannot talk about it and the pain is still excruciating,” she said.

On Wednesday, Myeni’s wife Lindsay took to social media and shared that they had always known he was innocent.

“They feared your golden skin. You hated racism. You kept talking about wanting to go to law school to help fix this broken system. I just wish I could talk to you.just hear your beautiful voice. Feel your big hugs. The kids and I miss you.”

Darren Bergman, DA spokesperson on international relations and cooperation, has urged the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to continue engaging with the US authorities.

He said the South African government had a duty to ensure that justice was served in the senseless killing of Myeni.

Bergman criticised the Honolulu police for alleging that Myeni had been violent while they attempted to arrest him.

“The new evidence not only shows that the authorities have been less than economical with the truth but that the South African government has the right to be asking questions in order to ascertain what has really happened to Myeni,“he said.

“It is important that the principles of unity and fairness are upheld. We fight for these ideals daily in South Africa and so it is consistent that we would continue to fight for it abroad too. Whilst we respect sovereign borders, we have a responsibility to our citizens.”