Identities of 3 accused in Phoenix murders revealed in court

The identities of three men facing charges of murder and attempted murder in relation to the recent violent unrest in Phoenix, north of Durban, have been revealed.

Dylan Govender, 29, Ned Govender, 30, and Jeetendra Jaikissoon, 39, who are all facing a murder charge, appeared in the Verulam magistrate's court, north of Durban, on Friday ahead of seven other accused who are expected to appear later in the day. Dylan Govender is also facing an attempted murder charge.

National Prosecuting Authority provincial spokesperson Natasha Kara told the media outside the courtroom that the 10 accused had been split up and would appear separately.

“The other seven, facing charges of malicious damage to property and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, will appear during the course of the day.”

The 10 accused initially appeared on Monday but were not allowed to be identified due to investigators still needing to do an identity parade.

A strong police presence inside the courtroom coincided with a contingent of police and SANDF members who closely monitored large crowds gathered outside the court.

The crowds chanted struggle songs and held up placards denouncing racism.

Appearing in the capacity as provincial executive committee member, education MEC Kwazi Mshengu said members of the ANC were present to express their concern about the killings after the unrest in the province two weeks ago.

“The senseless killings by the vigilantes of Indian origin does not define the character and ethos of the people of Indian origin, we are quite clear about that.”

He said the isolated incidents in Phoenix should not regress South Africans from building a nonracial and united country.

A man who would only identify himself as Zain said he was at court to support his friends who were arrested.

“There is a lot of misinformation going around. We are not racist in Phoenix, we live together with black people, our children go to school together. These were isolated incidents and we cannot say everyone is the same,” he said.

This is a developing story.

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