The Durban Magistrates Court is expected to hand down its ruling on Tuesday in the bail application of Fees Must Fall activist Bonginkosi Khanyile, who is facing five charges in connection with violence and looting in KwaZulu-Natal in July.
More than 350 people died in widespread violence in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng following the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma for contempt of court.
The charges against Khanyile include incitement to commit violence and breaking lockdown regulations with regards to gatherings.
The court was shown a video in which Khanyile spoke to a group of people in Durban telling them to continue looting and committing arson until Zuma is freed.
Khanyile’s legal team has denied the charges. It was also argued that Khanyile financially supports his children. The court, however, heard evidence that Khanyile spent most of his monthly allowance as an intern on restaurants and clothes – not his children.
Khanyile was placed under house arrest in 2019 after he pleaded guilty to charges relating to violent Fees Must Fall protests at the Durban University of Technology in 2016.
Fees Must Fall activist Bonginkosi Khanyile back in court for bail application:
Meanwhile, the case of a man facing charges related to the incidents of looting and public violence that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal in mid-July, in particular, the burning of the Brookside Mall has been postponed to next week at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg.
The 35-year old Ndumiseni Khetho Zuma appeared on charges of inciting public violence and inciting arson.
The NPA’s Natasha Kara says, “Ndumiseni Khetho Zuma appeared in court today on two charges. These include inciting public violence and inciting arson. The charges relate to the incidences of looting and public violence that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal, the burning of the Brookside Mall. The matter was remanded to 14 September 2021 for a formal bail application.”
