I am not guilty, says alleged unrest instigator Khanyile
ALLEGED July unrest instigator Bonginkosi Khanyile will “plead not guilty” to the charges relating to looting and violence that he is currently facing.
Khanyile, 32, who appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s court on Friday for the first day of his trial proceedings, told the media that he would be pleading not guilty on September 16.
The Fees Must Fall activist’s trial was meant to begin on Monday. However, his legal team requested a postponement in order to add another person to the defence counsel, advocate Lerato Moela.
Khanyile, who was dressed in smart casual attire, black pants and a white Fabiani shirt with a towel on his right shoulder, made his way to the dock and settled down. His backers were also present in court, including former president Jacob Zuma’s staunch supporter, Ngizwe Mchunu, who is also an alleged instigator facing charges of inciting violence during the unrest.
The Patriotic Alliance member was arrested in August 2021, but was released on R5000 bail.
Khanyile is among 15 alleged instigators arrested last year. Last week, 20 accused instigators appeared before the Durban Magistrate’s court.
The Hawks announced on Thursday
that eight more people had been arrested in connection with the unrest. The number of alleged instigators arrested now stands at 34.
During the court proceedings, senior prosecutor advocate Yuri Gangai said Khanyile’s delaying tactics should not be tolerated, as this led to financial costs. He explained that Khanyile’s counsel had had enough time to go through and prepare for the case, but they had chosen not to.
For the defence, Moela argued that he had received the 500-sheet case only last Sunday, explaining that he had to travel from Johannesburg to Durban and had very limited time to prepare for Monday.
The magistrate said that as the court was guarded by the legal procedures and the accused could exercise their fundamental rights, changes to lawyers could not be made at the 11th hour.
Speaking outside the court, Khanyile said he would maintain his innocence. He criticised the prosecutors, saying Gangai was making it difficult for his counsel to exercise his rights.
“The magistrate handled the matter very well and restored my hope.”
Khanyile denied one of his tactics was to delay the trial. “Like I’ve said before, I also want this case to be over.”
The case was postponed to September 16.