Phoenix July unrest trial hears of witness intimidation
Claims of fear and intimidation have emerged in the trial of four men accused of murder during the July 2021 unrest at the Durban High Court.
They are alleged to be involved in an attack in Phoenix that claimed the life of Njabulo Dlamini.
The group is also facing attempted murder charges after Nkosikhona Madlala and Sandile Sambo suffered injuries.
The other charges are malicious damage to property and inciting public violence.
The victims had gone to Phoenix to purchase alcohol during the Covid-19 lockdown.
A state witness told the court that he feared for his life when he saw accused number one, Ravine Naidoo, outside a tavern, which is owned by the second accused, Trevor Gopal.
He says Naidoo was carrying a sjambok.
When he asked Naidoo and his son what they were doing there, they allegedly responded that they had come to defend Gopal.
Naidoo's alleged to have assaulted Sambo with the sjambok.
The witness meanwhile denied claims by Naidoo's lawyer that he'd only named him after seeing him in video footage.
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