A State witness and a victim of public violence that took place in Phoenix, Durban, during the July 2021 unrest, told the Durban High Court that he had an open wound in his head

This was after being assaulted by a crowd, including three of the four men charged with public violence and murder that happened around this time. 

Nkosikhona Madlala from Nanda is currently on the stand and telling the court what happened to him and his friends, Njabulo Dlamini, Sanele Merase, Mthobisi Ntuli, Linda Khawula, and Sandile Sambo on July 12, 2021, when they went to Tees Tavern in Phoenix to buy cocaine. 

Madlala said the people who assaulted him included Ravine Naidoo, Tyreece Govender, and Timothy Govender, adding that they were carrying weapons, sjamboks, sticks, golf sticks, and a hammer. 

He said that after the crowd forced him to get into a burning taxi and he refused, he lay down on the ground and was assaulted for about an hour.

According to him, the assaults were intense, and 40 people were just beating him for about 30 minutes. He said that for the other 30 minutes, a few people would still come and just beat him up. 

Earlier on Wednesday morning, Madlala told the court that they came to Phoenix in a Toyota Quantum taxi to Tees Tavern.

He said as they were about to leave after buying cocaine, a white Ranger bakkie blocked them in the front.

He said there were other cars and people alighted from them, and some came by foot, and they were forced to get out of the taxi. He said these people were carrying the weapons.

Moreover, he said they ran away in different directions when the driver of the Ranger fired a gunshot when they refused to sit down.

However, as they were being chased, he said he found himself back where he had left the taxi, together with Sambo. 

Madlala said Naidoo was among the people in the crowd who were telling them to get out of the taxi. He added that Naidoo beat him up with a sjambok. He said Tyreece was carrying a golf club. 

“He was using a golf stick to beat me all over my body. He even kicked me,” Madlala explained. 

Additionally, Madlala said Timothy was carrying a hammer. He said that when he was lying on the ground after refusing to get inside the burning taxi, he saw that Sambo was not moving; he said it looked like he had fainted. 

“I cannot say who the individuals were, but they took Sambo and put him next to me. He was just quiet and not moving,” he added. 

The three accused are also charged along with Tees Tavern owner Trevor Gopal. They are charged with Dlamini’s murder, public violence, two counts of attempted murder, and malicious damage to property. Gopal is also charged with incitement to commit public violence.

The trial continues

nomonde.zondi@inl.co.za

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