Protest against hawker accused

2010-03-01 11:38

Johannesburg - About 25 protesters converged outside the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday demanding that bail be denied to four men allegedly linked to the death of an Egyptian hawker.

"No bail for xenophobic cops" and "Foreigners are soft targets" were some of the placards being held at the entrance to the courthouse.

The angry protesters, most of them wearing religious head gear, belonged to the Arab Association Union.

"They don't deserve bail," said union chairperson Ahmed Habiballah.

"This will continue to happen if we don't try and stop it," he said.

Scuffle

The four accused - two of whom are policemen - had allegedly threatened to arrest 32-year-old Nabil Hasaballa when a scuffle ensued on February 5.

Hasaballa was then shot dead.

Aniel Roolaraj, Mandla Nkambule, Ebrahim Janoo and Wesley Anderson made a first court appearance on February 8.

Their bail hearing was set for Monday and they had been held at the high risk section of the Johannesburg Central Police Station cells since their arrest.

- SAPA