In camera hearing for student, 26
DURBAN: Bonginkosi Khanyile, the Durban University of Technology (DUT) student accused of using a slingshot during the recent #FeesMustFall protests, has appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
Khanyile, 26, is set to make a fresh bid to be granted bail this week.
However, this bail application is set to be heard in camera, with no one allowed in court apart from court officials, Khanyile’s legal representative and the prosecutor in the matter.
Before proceedings started on Monday, the EFF supporter and his family – including his elderly mother – were removed from the court, being informed by officials that the matter was being heard in camera.
Attempts by media to address Magistrate Jackie Jonck in a bid for the media to cover the new bail application were rejected.
It’s not clear what transpired during the hearing, or why media were banned from proceedings. Usually, when proceedings are ordered to be held in camera it is due to the involvement of a minor or a sexual offence.
Kh anyile was arrested during running battles with police on September 27 and has been charged with incitement to commit public violence, illegal gathering, possession of explosives and dangerous weapons, obstructing traffic and causing a nuisance on public roads.
It’s understood the new bail application is made on the basis that there is new evidence to be submitted to the court.
However, the nature of the evidence or application cannot be confirmed.
In handing down her decision to deny Khanyile bail on October 17, Jonck cited video evidence that showed Khanyile assaulting police and encouraging students to “moer the police”.
Earlier on Monday, Khanyile appeared briefly in Court 12 of the Durban Magistrate’s Court, where he is the co-accused along with other DUT students for another protest matter.
Khanyile was wearing a black T-shirt, which on the front in white letters read: “Whites are guilty of theft, colonisation, apartheid and black genocide” while on the back it read “#FeesMustFall”.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara confirmed that Khanyile’s bail hearing would continue yesterday. She also confirmed the matter would still only be heard by court officials, Khanyile’s legal team and the prosecution.