Ten people appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 July, for various charges relating to the unrest that took place two weeks ago in parts of the greater Durban area which includes Verulam, Tongaat and Phoenix.
Those on trial are Indian men accused of killing Black people who allegedly posed no threat to them during the unrest. Spokesperson for Director of Public Prosecutions KZN, Natasha Kara, confirmed that the ten face various charges relating to the unrest. “The charges include murder, attempted murder, possession of stolen property, malicious injury to property, unlawful possession of firearm/s and unlawful possession of ammunition. The matters were held in camera to protect the identity of the accused persons as identity parades are yet to be conducted. The matters were remanded to Friday, 30 July, for bail consideration,” said Kara.
Outside the court, protestors either supported or opposed bail for the accused. Members of the African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) opposed bail for those accused. Chris Biyela, the convenor of the investigation task team formed by the community, said he was there on behalf of the community and victims to oppose bail for those accused of the killings. “We demand justice. We understand that looting is a crime but even the Indian community who said they were protecting themselves were committing a crime. They had one mandate and that was to profile those they viewed as a threat and if they saw a Black person then that person must be killed,” claimed Biyela. He said that he understands this to be the directive for some members of the Indian community due to his brother being killed in Phoenix on Monday, 12 July. “He was on his way home from work. He uses the Phoenix highway to get to KwaMashu. He was stopped at a roadblock. Unfortunately on that day he lost his life,” alleged Biyela. He said all the victims were not found on the property of Indian people, but on public property. “It was a battle of race. If you are Indian you’re safe and if you’re Black you will die. That was their mandate of the day,” claimed Biyela.
The African National Congress Youth League National Spokesperson, Sizophila Mkhize, said that the demonstration was in support of families who lost loved ones during the unrest and to oppose bail for those accused. “There are two communities that are clearly against each other. I’m unsure why government is not giving this the attention it deserves. They should be coming to the Indian and Black communities and finding solutions to all of this,” said Mkhize. She said there were racial divisions outside court and that government should not allow this to happen. “There are serious provocations from each group which is going to escalate the situation. The unrest was going to happen and government ignored the signs. The police dragged their feet. Before former president Zuma handed himself over there were signs of a civil unrest. They took all these warnings lightly. Today there is a heavy police and defence force presence but there was nothing during the unrest. The government failed to protect the people of South Africa. It all started as a normal protest which was then hijacked by forces we believe wanted to take advantage of the situation,” said Mkhize.
Community activist, Michael Abraham, said South Africa is a home for all irrespective of race. “We ought to respect and preserve good relations with all South Africans. I hope we have learned our lessons from this horrific event. Precious lives were lost and no amount of apologies would remedy the matter. I am certain that the magistrates would have this in mind when they make a ruling.” Ward 106 Councillor, Johnson Chetty, said the current situation in the province is as a direct result of poor and ineffective leadership from the ruling party. “The President failed to act decisively when the anarchy and lawlessness erupted. The law enforcement was visibly absent. The people lived in terror and were forced to defend their lives, that of their families and of their extended communities. The current animosity and mistrust between the races lies squarely at the feet of President Ramaphosa and his incompetent ministers. It’s really sad that our law-abiding citizens are forced to encounter racial tensions which could have been avoided. I really believe that this government has failed its people who were subjected to astronomical trauma.”
