Three Ethiopian Nationals Accused of Breaking Durban Man's Legs Fight for Bail as State Says Keep Them Locked Up

Three Ethiopian nationals charged with attempted murder over the brutal beating of a South African man in the Durban CBD were back in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, to apply for bail. The State has said it will oppose their release.

The accused are Kebede Belachew Basore (38), Getachew Tirkaso and Wodaje Girma (29). They face charges of attempted murder and public violence arising from an incident on Dr Pixley kaSeme Street on 8 October 2026.

What the State alleges

According to the charge read in court, the three men, acting with a common purpose, attacked Mzolisi Notshweleka with sticks, stones and a bush knife, and kicked and punched him. Both of his legs were broken. The State alleges they intended to kill him.

Prosecutor Zakhele Nzuza told the court that the victim, a man from the Eastern Cape, was walking along the road looking for a shop to repair his phone when he was attacked. Nzuza said the assault happened in the presence of police officers who were monitoring protests in the area, that video footage of the incident exists, and that the men were arrested at the scene.

Reading from an affidavit by SAPS Detective Sergeant Sanele Mdima, the State argued that the accused could endanger the public, could commit further offences and could flee to Ethiopia if released.

Immigration status

The bail hearing was adjourned on 23 October so that the investigating officer could verify the men’s immigration status with the Department of Home Affairs. An affidavit from Home Affairs, presented in court, said Tirkaso and Girma were in the country illegally. Nzuza told the court that Home Affairs had found no record of Girma at all.

The defence disputes this. Lawyer Luvo Mtolo told the court that Basore holds a visa valid until May 2028, has lived in Durban for about 15 years, is married to a South African and has four children. The defence said Tirkaso has been in South Africa since 2006 and holds an asylum seeker permit extended to January 2027. Basore denies the charges and says video footage will clear him. Two of the accused told the court they were assaulted by police during their arrest.

A city on edge

SAPS KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said a group that had marched against gender-based violence walked down Dr Pixley kaSeme Street to join a March and March protest at the Home Affairs offices when the assault took place. Unrest followed in the CBD. At least 14 vehicles were set alight and several foreign-owned shops were forced to close.

All three accused have remained in custody at Durban Central police station since their arrest. They have not been convicted of any offence and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Sources: IOL, Ethiopian’s bail hearing adjourned over alleged Durban protest assault. Berea Mail, Attempted murder accused spend another weekend behind bars. Sunday Tribune, Durban bail hearing postponed to October 28. Sihle Mavuso on X, @ZANewsFlash.