Durban CBD assault
Xolani Dlamini|Published
Three Ethiopian men accused of assaulting a Durban man and breaking his leg during unrest in the CBD will remain in custody after their bail hearing was postponed to October 28.
Kebede Belachew Basore, 38, Getachew Tirikaso, 48, and Wodaje Girma, 29, were charged with attempted murder and public violence arising from an incident on October 8.
They are accused of the brutal assault of a local man Mzolisi Notshweleka, which allegedly sparked major unrest in the Durban CBD.
The victim was allegedly assaulted with sticks, stones, and a bush-knife, leaving him with fractures to both legs.
Following the incident which took place outside shops on Dr Pixley kaSeme Street, a protest escalated into chaos and resulted in the torching of at least 14 vehicles and the forced closure of multiple foreign-owned shops.
During the bail hearing in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday, Luvo Mtolo, the lawyer representing Basore, said his client had no previous convictions or pending cases.
The State is opposing bail.
An affidavit presented in court by the Home Affairs Department confirmed that the accused Getachew Perakaso Tirkaso, and Wodaje Girma were in the country illegally.
Mtolo asked the court to give bail to his client as he was not a flight risk and legally in the country.
"Basore has resided in the Durban Central area for 15 years and regards Durban as his home. He has four children and a wife who are dependent on him. He married a South African for five years," said Mtolo.
He said Basore also had two shops - one in Newlands and another one in the Durban CBD which brought in an income of R20,000 per month.
Mtolo said the money was used to pay his rent, school fees and maintain his family.
"Accused's store in Newlands was looted in June 2026 causing him considerable losses. The residential address of the accused has been verified and his visa expires in May 2028. The accused had left South Africa twice and returned legitimately and is in the country lawfully," said Mtolo.
He denied that his client took part in any violent protests.
"On the day of his arrest, my client went to help a colleague who was shot in the foot. While doing so he was beaten and assaulted by a group of people carrying sticks. He said a white VW Golf arrived with police. He claimed they assaulted him and pointed their guns at him," said Mtolo.
Mtolo said his client had witnessed his car being set alight. He assured the court that his client would not interfere with the complainant or abscond from appearing before the court if he was released on bail.
The accused were remanded in custody.
The court ruled that the three men be held at the Durban Central Police Station for their safety and verification purposes.
The State alleged that the victim was fixing a cellphone in a store on Dr Pixley kaSeme Street when a group of Ethiopians attacked him using sticks, bush knives and stones.
The victim allegedly had severe injuries on his whole body and he was rushed to the local hospital for treatment.
The State prosecutor Zakhele Nzuza asked the court not to release the accused on bail as the community and victim's family members were furious about the incident.
"We fear that if the accused is released, community and family members might want to avenge their son. It is clear that the accused's life will be in danger. The accused is also facing serious offences and we believe that he might invade trial and go back to his original country," he said
The State prosecutor argued that the accused was brave enough to attack the victim in the presence of police officers.
"The accused showed no fear of the police officers. We believe that the release of the accused might jeopardise and undermine public peace. The accused completely disregarded the laws of the country when assaulting the victim."
The case has been adjourned for October 28.