By Hajira Khota
21:09:2021

Despite criticism from civil society, the National Prosecuting Authority has pledged to follow standard protocols when dealing with the Phoenix murders.

The bulk of the 56 defendants facing murder and attempted murder charges in connection with the July riots were granted bail by the State.
Several suspects appeared in court on various charges at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court.

In some instances, the state is anticipated to offer video footage as necessary evidence, while witnesses have been lined up in others.

This came after the Phoenix Justice Project, a lobbying group, wrote to the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi, requesting that the accused be released on bail.

The accused brothers Dylan and Ned Govender and Jeetendra Jaikissoon, who had earlier withdrawn their bail applications, filed a new one this week.

The trio is accused of murder. During the turmoil in Phoenix in July, they allegedly attacked five men strolling down the street. They were captured on camera attacking five males, including a 19-year-old who was shot and murdered.

Vegan Paul, the founder of PJP, claimed that the NPA’s handling of the disturbance cases was unclear. He claimed that whereas other defendants, especially the suspected instigators, had been awarded bail, the majority of the Phoenix defendants remained in prison.

“Those accused of murder or attempted murder must be prepared to receive the harshest punishment. However, over 50 suspects remain in custody for no apparent reason”.

Paul says they were a civil rights organisation approached by the relatives of those who died in the July riots and turmoil. The majority of these families live in the Phoenix and Verulam areas.

If they do not receive an answer within seven days, Paul said they would take additional action.

The case has been adjourned until next week when the judge will decide whether to grant bail.