Police wield big stick at Zulu's trial

Angry Inkatha Freedom Party and National Freedom Partysupporters were yesterday kept apart by police to avoid another clash.

NFP councillor Mzonjani Zulu allegedly shot dead an IFP member, Siya Dlamini, in full view of police and journalists outside Ntuzuma Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Dlamini had approached Zulu wielding a spear.

Heavily armed police officers ushered the two parties' supporters through two separate entrances at the Durban Regional Court yesterday to avoid a skirmish.

Riot-control vehicles and a water cannon were on stand-by and a police helicopter hovered overhead.

Zulu had been expected to appear in the Ntuzuma Magistrate's Court, the site of Monday's shooting, but the case was transferred to the Durban Regional Court because of security concerns.

IFP members made their way to the Durban court yesterday morning by taxi and train. Zulu, one of the founding members of the NFP, appeared briefly in court but the case was adjourned to November 5 for a bail application.

After the adjournment, another NFP leader, Bhungu Gwala, his two sons, Bonginhlanhla and Mjabulelwa, and Sibusiso Ncengwa appeared in court for allegedly killing Cebesile Shezi.

Shezi, who was wearing an IFP T-shirt, was shot dead near the Thembalihle railway station in KwaMashu shortly after Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa spoke to IFP supporters at a sports field in A-section, KwaMashu, on October 6.

Magistrate Trevor Levitt yesterday praised members of both parties for "behaving in a manner that shows respect for the law" and urged that the same spirit prevail throughout the court proceedings.

The bail applications of the Gwalas and of Ncengwa will be heard on October 25.

Outside the court, IFP and NFP supporters hurled insults at each other.

When Bhungu Gwala's wife, Bongi, arrived at court with heavily armed bodyguards, IFP supporters sang "Sibulawelani, senzeni na kini webaholi be NFP?", which loosely translates to "Why do you kill us; what have we done to you NFP leaders?"

IFP regional leader Mdu Nkosi called for calm, saying: "Let's not retaliate but allow the police to do their work."