Defence argues State witness fabricated evidence in Phoenix unrest trial

The defence in a trial of four men accused of inciting violence in Phoenix during the July 2021 civil unrest has told a State witness that the evidence he has given to the Durban High Court and the police is false.

- NOMONDE ZONDI

This was put to Anard Chetty, a State witness, on Friday morning at the Durban High Court.

Chetty had told the court earlier this week that on the night of July 11, 2021, he saw and heard the owner of Tees tavern, Trevor Gopal, inciting violence on black Africans, by saying ‘We must put the heat on 'darkie ous' must be put before they put it on them.’

Gopal is the second accused in this matter, charged with incitement to commit public violence.

On other charges, murder, two counts of attempted murder, malicious damage to property, and public violence, he is charged with Ravine Naidoo, Tyreece Govender, and Timothy Govender.

During the cross-examination by Gopal’s counsel, Advocate Jimmy Howse SC, he referred Chetty to his three witness statements that he had made to the police.