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.

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