Daily News: Two shot outside uMlazi court

Once again when unarmed protesters are attacked by armed force under the direction of the state – be it the police, the Land Invasions Unit or private security gaurds (in this case Fidentia Security) the victims of state violence are automatically presented as 'violent' in the media while state violence is not presented as violence. What happened here is that AbM supproters were prevented from entering the court to witness the bail hearing. An attempt (unarmed) was made to enter the court. At this point Nyathi was attacked and shot by a security gaurd. Two shots were fired by the guard and one of the bullets ricocheted and hit the security gaurd in the hand. After Nyathi was shot he was severely beaten by the SAPS and then he was charged with assault and placed under police gaurd in hospital. As far as we know the security guard who shot an unarmed man in the court and the police who then beat an injured man have not had any charges bought against them. 

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/two-shot-outside-umlazi-court-1.1588872#.UlY07FDI3UU

October 8 2013 at 02:33pm 

By SIHLE MLAMBO

Durban – A security guard and a supporter of the Abahlali baseMjondolo shack dwellers’ association were shot during violent protests outside the uMlazi Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Abahlali members Themba Msomi, Thembeka Sondaba and Fikiswa Mgoduka appeared in court on public violence charges.

They had been arrested by police in uMlazi on Friday for allegedly blockading the Griffiths Mxenge (Prince Mangosuthu Highway) in uMlazi with burning tyres and debris.

The three accused are expected to appear in court again on Tuesday for a bail application.

The security guard and the wounded supporter were taken to the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in uMlazi.

The supporter is under police guard at the hospital.

He was shot in the chest during a scuffle outside the court.

Police spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane said one man was arrested for public violence. A case of attempted murder had also been opened.

The motive of the shooting was unknown, Zwane said.

It was unclear whether the security guard was armed, Zwane said.

Pastor Musa Albert Ngubane, a shack dwellers movement leader, had been inside the court when the shooting occurred. He said he had been told the security guard had shot the supporter, as well as himself in the hand, by accident. But a police source and court official, who did not want to be named, said the supporters had been trying to force their way into the court when the incident occurred.

Ngubane said:

“This situation has become a big problem. We were just here to support our members in court.”

He said he had entered the court with their lawyer, Shabnum Palesa Mohammed, when they were informed that only 10 supporters would be allowed in the gallery.

“I called the 10 in and realised we could fit more. But before they even came in, we heard that a security guard and Nyathi had been shot at the entrance of the court.”

Ngubane said two policemen handcuffed one of their supporters and assaulted him.

“That security guard shot himself by mistake. The same bullet must have struck the supporter who was nearby. None of the Abahlali members were armed,” he said.

Abahlali said five supporters were arrested on Monday morning when protesters blocked roads in peak-hour morning traffic, with rubbish bins, burning tyres and trees.

The protests occurred on Bellair Road and in Clare Estate, Isipingo, Mayville, Shallcross, Siyanda and uMlazi.