July ’21 unrest in Phoenix: Court hears of violent roadblocks
The moments leading up to a deadly assault during the July unrest have taken centre stage in court.
One of the survivors of the attack in Phoenix, Nkosikhona Madlala, gave his account of how the events unfolded in court on Tuesday.
Four men, Ravine Naidoo, Trevor Gopal, Tyreece and Timothy Govender, are on trial for the murder of Njabulo Dlamini.
Two others were left injured in the assault outside a tavern owned by one of the accused, Trevor Gopal.
Madlala told the court that during the height of the unrest, he and five others took a taxi from Inanda to Tee's Tavern in Phoenix.
They were looking for cocaine, which he claims they were able to previously acquire from the establishment, which is owned by Gopal.
He says they drove through two tense roadblocks, ignoring warnings from residents armed with golf clubs and bats to turn back.
As they passed the final roadblock, Madlala recalls one person being struck by the side mirror of the taxi.
He says a rock was thrown but they did not stop the vehicle, until they reached the tavern.
As they were about to leave, he explained that another vehicle blocked their exit.
Last week, the court heard how a mob attacked the group and torched the taxi, allegedly on Gopal's orders.
Dlamini later died in hospital, reportedly after being struck with a rock and a hammer.
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