Nqobile Nzuza was a resident in the Marikana Land Occupation in Cato Crest in Durban. She was a member of the shackdwellers' social movement Abahlali baseMjondolo.
On 30 September 2013, at the age of 17 years, Ms Nzuza was shot dead during an ant-eviction protest by Marikana residents. Witnesses say she was shot in the back of the head and in the back while running from police during a protest in Cato Crest area. It is also claimed that she was shot by the Cato Crest station commissioner.
Police admit to shooting Nzuza and another resident but claim they were acting in self-defense.
The death caused significant controversy. Abahlali baseMjondolo's then general secretary, Bandile Mdlalose, was arrested during a subsequent protest at the Cato Crest police station. There were also a range of letters and statements on the matter by well-known US based academics such as Noam Chomsky and Anglican Bishop Rubin Phillip.