An attempt has been made on the life of Abahlali baseMjondolo president Zikode, according to a statement released by the shack dwellers' movement on 7 July.

A statement released by Abahlali baseMjondolo on 7 July 2018 claimed that its president S'bu Zikode's vehicle had been maliciously tampered with and his life was "in grave danger".

The alleged attempt on Zikode's life comes after reports in early June that ANC chief whip in the City of eThekwini, Nelly Nyanisa, had accused Zikode of being "hellbent" on rendering eThekwini ungovernable.

It was also reported that Nyanisa had threatened to "deal with" Abahlali.

In an exclusive interview with New Frame, eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede claimed that she was awaiting the outcome of an internal investigation into Nyanisa's comments.

Gumede, however, said that "there must be consequences... because a leader cannot utter words willy-nilly".

Gumede suggested that apparent threats like those made by Nyanisa "provoke the communities and they lose hope in us".

Abahlali alleges that as many as ten of its members have been assassinated over the past five years. In two cases there have been convictions after the murder of the movement's members.

In 2013, 17-year-old Nqobile Nzuza was shot...