#FeesMustFall activist guilty

#FeesMustFall activist Bonginkosi Khanyile has been convicted of public violence‚ failing to comply with a police instruction and possession of a dangerous weapon.

The Durban University of Technology student appeared in the Durban Regional Court on Monday before magistrate Siphiwe Hlophe.

The public gallery was a sea of red‚ with members of the EFF Students Command showing their support for him.

Nearly three years after his arrest in 2016‚ at the height of national student unrest‚ Khanyile made an admission that would ultimately result in the guilty verdict.

Through his advocate Danie Combrink‚ he admitted that during the violent protest action he had disturbed the public peace‚ used a slingshot to stone police and ignored their pleas to disperse.

Using these admissions‚ coupled with evidence led by the state when the trial commenced last month‚ Hlophe found that the evidence was unchallenged.

“The court finds that on September 27 2016‚ the accused committed the crime of public violence,” he said.

“He unlawfully assembled with intent to disturb the peace and public security and intentionally struck the police with stones using a slingshot.

“The court finds that on February 4 the accused failed to comply with a police instruction to disperse. Accordingly, he is found guilty.”

Khanyile will be sentenced on October 16.