Ring of steel to keep political rivals apart

Durban -

In a dramatic show of force, heavily armed police officers descended on the Durban Regional Court on Wednesday to oversee two murder cases involving the National Freedom Party and its rival the IFP.

Dozens of police officers, carrying R5 rifles and wearing riot gear, arrived in Casspirs, and set up metal barricades outside the courtroom.

On Monday, in full view of police, IFP member Siya Dlamini was killed outside the Ntuzuma Magistrate’s Court.

He was allegedly shot by eThekwini councillor and NFP member Mzonjani Zulu when members of the two parties clashed at the court.

Both parties’ members had gone to the Ntuzuma court for the murder case against NFP councillor Mgezeni Gwala, his two sons Bonginhlanhla and Mjabulelwa and their friend, Sibusiso Ncengwa.

The four are charged with the murder of IFP supporter Cebile Shezi, who was killed at the KwaMashu hostel earlier this month.

The cases of both Zulu and the Gwalas were adjourned on Wednesday for bail applications.

State advocate Cyril Selepe said bail was being opposed in both matters.

Magistrate Trevor Levitt complimented the police for being at court and said he was impressed with the public’s well-mannered behaviour.

Outside court, the public order police unit formed a human wall when the two factions tried to come into contact with each other.

The IFP’s caucus leader in the eThekwini municipality, Mduduzi Nkosi, pleaded with his party’s supporters not to provoke the NFP members.

“When you go home continue to behave the way you did here. Do not gloat at the fact that their people were refused bail because that will lead to more violence.”

NFP leader Wiseman Mcoyi also warned his party’s supporters to not rejoice about the deaths of IFP members.

“We have lost about 30 members, which is painful. The killing of any person is terrible, so we should not celebrate the murder of IFP people,” he said.

In his online letter, IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said the the NFP was calling for peace but acting against it.

“This is a case of the leadership calling for peace, then taking out a gun and committing murder. It is worrying to see NFP president Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi spitting fire when NFP members are arrested, declaring their innocence before they have been tried in a court of law,” said Buthelezi.

Political leaders had to be held to a higher standard of integrity and should be careful about what they said, he added.

“Let our words match our actions. So I ask again, in the wake of another murder, that the bloodshed would end,” said Buthelezi.

Zulu will appear in court on November 5. The Gwalas and Ncengwa will appear next week. They were all remanded to Westville Prison.

The Mercury