Mthobisi Sithole

BREAKING NEWS: The three Ethiopian nationals who are accused of the attempted murder that led to riots and torching of cars and businesses in the Durban CBD three weeks ago have been freed on R5000 bail by the Durban Magistrate’s Court. The State wanted them to remain behind bars, saying they are flight risks, but the defence disagreed. The State said they won’t be safe outside, but the defence argued that all three accused literally live minutes away from three police stations in the Durban CBD and their safety is guaranteed. The Magistrate remarked that the three are asylum seekers and as such, they enjoy the same constitutional rights as South Africans and freed them on bail with stringent conditions. Furthermore, the State tried to point out discrepancies in their passports and asylum documents, raising issues of possible fraud and corruption. However, the State’s argument was watered down by evidence that was given by an immigration official who told the court that their systems have glitches and sometimes it loses records, hence they don’t have some of the information required for the court to take an informed decision - KZN Tonight Podcast