Four accused—Trevor Gopal (52, owner of Teez/Tees Tavern), his son Tyreece Govender (21), Ravine Naidoo (67), and Timothy Govender (46)—face charges including the murder of Njabulo Allen Dlamini (31, from Inanda), attempted murder of Nkosikhona Madlala and Sandile Colin Sambo, public violence, malicious damage to property, and (for Gopal) incitement to commit public violence.
The case stems from events on 12 July 2021, during the widespread unrest following the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma. According to the State, a group including Dlamini, Madlala, Sambo, Linda Khawula, and others travelled in a Toyota Quantum to Teez Tavern on Grove End Road in Phoenix (reportedly to buy cocaine/alcohol, which was being sold illegally under COVID-19 restrictions). They were allegedly attacked by a group of residents. The indictment claims the victims were assaulted with golf clubs, baseball bats, iron rods, sjamboks, and other objects; some had wooden pallets placed on them and were doused with fuel in an attempt to set them alight. Dlamini died from his injuries at Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital. The taxi was also set alight.
Phoenix saw intense racial tensions during the unrest (primarily between Indian and Black communities), with around 36 deaths reported in the area as part of the broader KwaZulu-Natal toll (hundreds nationally and major economic damage). A police task team investigated related violence.
The trial has featured graphic CCTV and cellphone footage of the alleged attack, witness accounts of the mob assault, and claims that Gopal directed or encouraged the violence (including allegedly handing over petrol and instructing that victims be burned with the taxi). Some other related cases from the Phoenix violence have already resulted in convictions or withdrawals (e.g., certain public violence pleas leading to suspended sentences, or cases dropped when witnesses could not be traced).
Recent updates (August–September 2026)
- Witness testimony: State witnesses, including survivor Linda Khawula and Nkosikhona Madlala, have described the attack in detail. Khawula testified about travelling to the tavern and the subsequent assault. One witness expressed ongoing strong negative feelings toward people from the area around the tavern. Earlier testimony (e.g., from Anard Chetty, linked to the tavern) included claims that Gopal gave instructions and tried to avoid being captured on camera.
- Investigating officer’s evidence (around 11 September 2026): Sergeant Mkhaliphi Cele (part of the unrest investigation task team) testified that about 10 people were initially arrested in connection with attacks on Black people in Phoenix; the current four remain on trial for this specific incident. He detailed outcomes in related cases (e.g., some guilty pleas for public violence or theft of vehicle parts with suspended or partial sentences). Judge Mluleki Chithi reprimanded Cele for appearing unprepared on certain details (such as identification parades) and insisted on certainty in evidence.
- Disputed video footage (around 15 September 2026): Tensions arose over assault-related video footage. Investigating officer Cele noted that the version played in court was shorter than one he had previously viewed. This led to questions about authenticity, downloading/transfer processes (the State later said portions were omitted during transfer), and whether senior State advocate Thabani Buthelezi’s involvement risked making him a potential witness. Judge Chithi warned Buthelezi to consult NPA seniors about continuing and cautioned against putting private counsel discussions on record. The State maintained the exhibit matched the investigation footage. Police had initially struggled to obtain tavern CCTV (told systems had changed). Footage was later viewed via Gopal’s counsel.
- CCTV collection challenges (16 September 2026): A police CCTV specialist testified that investigators faced widespread resistance when trying to obtain surveillance footage of the racially charged Phoenix unrest. Residents often claimed systems were broken, and the community was reportedly tipped off to destroy recordings before search warrants could be secured.
- Earlier in September, an investigating officer also testified that two of the four accused refused to cooperate with having photos taken to link them to graphic video evidence from the unrest.
The trial is ongoing (the State has indicated around 19 witnesses in total for this matter). Proceedings have involved technical issues, objections over evidence relating to other (resolved) accused, and judicial interventions on preparation and potential conflicts.
