‘They wanted to kill us’: Durban protests suspect claims police tortured as two co-accused secure bail
Wandile Nsibande made allegations of police brutality while speaking to journalists inside the courtroom.
Wandile Nsibande, one of three men charged following Durban anti-illegal immigration protests, has accused the police of torturing him and claims the charges against him are fabricated. Nsibande, along with his co-accused Sphelele "Magolide" Shinga and Malizo Dzanibe, appeared before the Durban Magistrate's Court on Monday, 12 October 2026.
If convicted, Nsibande faces public violence charges stemming from unrest that saw over 10 vehicles damaged or set alight, several businesses looted, and foreign nationals allegedly attacked. Shinga has additional allegations of inciting violence for allegedly threatening to shut down Moses Mabhida Stadium. Both Shinga and Dzanibe were released on bail of R5,000 each, while Nsibande was remanded in custody until Friday, 16 October.
The state argued that pending cases for Shinga and Dzanibe, as well as Nsibande's previous kidnapping conviction, warranted a postponement, but the defence challenged this request. Nsibande alleged that the police had shot him with rubber bullets and tortured him in a secluded bush, claiming the charges against him were unjustified.
The magistrate delayed Nsibande's case to Friday, 16 October, while allowing bail for Shinga and Dzanibe.
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