State wasting time on me, says accused

Bonginkosi Khanyile says the state is wasting its time with the charges against him, as his trial was postponed to later this month.

The #FeesMustFall activist, who is alleged to be one of the instigators of the 2021 July unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng, has been charged with two counts of inciting public violence and three counts of contravening the Disaster Management Act by holding illegal gatherings and not wearing a mask.

The Patriotic Alliance member was arrested in August 2021 in connection with the unrest and was released on R5 000 bail.

Before his appearance at the Durban Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Khanyile insisted he cannot be linked to the looting because he is not poor. “I’m wearing pants that cost R2 000 and I’m wearing a shirt that cost R1 800. Don’t play like that. I have my own things, I don’t steal fridges,” he told the media in isiZulu.

It was previously alleged, during his bail hearing, that Khanyile was a deadbeat dad. At the time, his lawyer, Masibonge Mathomane, had asked the court to release Khanyile on R500 bail as his children were financially dependent on him.

However, it was revealed that Khanyile contributed R250 per month towards the maintenance of each of his four children, while he had spent R12 000 on clothes and R10 000 on food and drinks between January and June 2021.

Khanyile’s trial, which had been expected to run until 26 August, has since been postponed to Friday.

The matter was due to start yesterday, but his legal team requested a postponement in order to add another person to the counsel.

Speaking outside the court, Khanyile maintained his innocence. “I never took a refrigerator; I never burned a mall; I have never stolen anything; [and] I have never instructed anyone to go and steal, that’s why I have no fear. Why should I run from this case? Because a person who wants to run away from the case is a guilty person.

“I’m on record… Those who still have those videos [must] replay them. I said even if they were to illegally sentence me to 30 years, I would take it with honour because l know I’m an innocent man.”

Khanyile accused the magistrate of plotting against him. “They are using feelings instead of using the law. How do you accept a ruling that says it is your last time of postponing on the basis of lack of legal representation?

“This is the first time I’m changing legal representation, but already I’m told this is the last time you are changing it.”