Mcebo Dlamini trial to begin in July

The trial of student activist Mcebo Dlamini is expected to begin in July in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.

Dlamini appeared briefly in court on Friday, where the case was postponed to July 30 for trial.  He is facing charges of public violence, assault, theft, damage to property and violating a court order.

Most of the charges relate to acts committed while he was a leader of the 2016 Fees Must Fall protests, which targeted various aspects of South Africa’s tertiary education.

Last week, Dlamini refused to accept a plea bargain with the State because it would mean he would have a criminal record which would prevent him from practising law in the future.

Dlamini was arrested in October 2016, and was released on R2,000 bail in November by the Palm Ridge High Court. Students protested across South Africa in October 2016, for free tertiary education.