High rise deaths case postponed (SAPA)

 Durban - The case against eight people who allegedly killed two foreign nationals by forcing them to jump off a high rise building was postponed by the Durban Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Durban's Albert Park councillor Vusi Khoza appeared in court briefly along with seven other people accused of murder, attempted murder and assault. The case was postponed to June 4 to give the State time to decide whether or not to proceed with the case.

Foreigners jumped from a building in Albert Park while trying to escape from a crowd of over 100 people wielding bush knives.  Zimbabwean Victor Zowa, 24, and Tanzanian Omar Said, 25, fell to their deaths. A 23-year-old Mozambican, who was forced to jump from a window in the building, survived.

Out on bail

During countrywide xenophobic attacks in May 2008 more than 60 people were killed.  The other accused are Sean Thabo Jacobs, Nkosinathi Dlamini, Delisile Reginah Ngwane, Linda Nala, Zoleka Siglau, Patricia Ballantyne and Mzokuthoba Mngonyama.

All are out on R2 000 bail each, except Jacobs, who was unable to raise the money and would remain in custody. The others had their bail extended.

Neira Singh, of Lawyers for Human Rights, said they were looking at instituting a civil claim against the State. The organisation was representing one of the victims of the attack. "We are busy weighing up evidence and we will soon decide whether to institute a civil claim against the State or not for the damage caused by the mob. "We believe that the police did not do enough to protect the victims."

SAPA