News24
*Tensions before Kennedy Road deaths* *Sapa, News24, Durban, 29 November 2010*Durban - There were tensions between Zulu and Xhosa speakers before the attack which claimed two lives at the Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban, the city's magistrate's court heard on Monday.
"I have been told that there was a conflict between Xhosas and Zulus regarding houses and jobs before the attack," said Jimmy House, the lawyer representing 12 people accused of the attack.
House was cross examining State witness Sicelo Jikazi, who earlier described how he and a few other people were attacked on September 27 last year.
Thabani Ndlovu and Thokozani Mnguni were stabbed and beaten to death, and scores injured when about 40 men carrying assegais, knobkerries and guns allegedly attacked them.
According to Jikazi, they were confronted as they left a hall in the informal settlement at about 01:00.
"They were armed. They carried bush knives, sharp objects, sticks and sjamboks," said Jikazi.
*Curfew*He said Ndlovu was part of a group who had gone to the hall to meet leaders of the Kennedy Road committee to complain about how its members were "terrorising" residents.
"We went to the hall to complain. The committee had appointed people who put a curfew (on the area). They beat people who walked at night and forced residents to switch off televisions at a particular time," he said.
They were also apparently closing shebeens, which usually stayed open until late.
Jikazi said the head of this "neighbourhood watch" group was Sbu Zikode, the leader of Abahlali Basemjondolo, which represents the interests of shack dwellers countrywide.
He said Zikode was not among the group who attacked them.House said Jikazi and the group that went to the hall were protesting against the actions of the "neighbourhood watch".
"My instruction is that you protested from 21:00. The police tried to disperse you several times and you refused," he said.
He said there had been the looting of shebeens and homes of Xhosa speakers on September 29, the day after the attack. According to police reports, the settlement was attacked during an Abahlali Basemjondolo youth camp.
All the accused are Xhosa speaking. They are Simvumile Limaphi, Thokozana Mthwana, Thoboxolo Mazela, Sibulelo Mambi, Khaliphile Jali, Zandisile Ngutyana, Situtu Koyi, Sicelo Mabi, Samekilis Mxokelwa, Zamandla Mazeka, Nkosiyezwa Njiyela and Fundisile Nkoyi.
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