Phoenix unrest witness ‘beaten after refusing to jump into burning vehicle’
A state witness in a Durban unrest murder trial has detailed how he was nearly forced into a burning vehicle and beaten for nearly an hour.
Nkosikhona Madlala is one of two survivors of the attack in Phoenix that led to the death of Njabulo Dlamini during the July 2021 unrest.
The trial is being heard in the Durban High Court.
Madlala admitted he and five friends had travelled in a minibus to Tees Tavern to buy drugs on 12 July 2021.
He told the court they were ambushed, with a white bakkie blocking their way as they tried to leave.
Madlala says within moments, about 40 armed men surrounded them and ordered them out of the minibus.
He told the court on Wednesday they were made to sit on the ground, except for Njabulo Dlamini, who was asleep inside the vehicle.
A shot was allegedly fired and Madlala and his friends ran off in different directions.
The court heard Madlala and one of his friends, Sandile Sambo, were caught near the main road and brought back to the minibus, which he says was now on fire.
Madlala says the mob pointed weapons at him and ordered him to get into the burning vehicle.
He says when he refused, he was beaten with sjamboks, baseball bats and golf clubs.
The 27-year-old testified that the assault lasted about an half-an-hour, before the group started taking turns whipping and bludgeoning him for another 30 minutes.
Madlala says he suffered head and dental injuries.
He says he saw Sambo lying motionless near the tavern after also being assaulted.
Madlala identified three of the accused, Ravine Naidoo, Tyreece and Timothy Govender, as having been part of the group that attacked him.
The trial continues.
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