Durban – Bonginkosi Khanyile, the July unrest instigator accused, has changed his legal team, causing further delays of his trial.
On Friday, the matter of the State against Khanyile returned to the Durban Regional Court on Friday, September 16, 2022.
Khanyile faces charges of incitement to commit public violence and charges of contravention of the Disaster Management Act, related to the unrest that took place in KwaZulu-Natal in July 2021.
National Prosecuting Authority KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the State had planned for and was prepared to proceed with the trial on August 15, however at that time Khanyile advised the court that he wanted to enlist the services of an advocate.
Ramkisson-Kara said that after further delays last month, the matter was adjourned to Friday. The adjournment was granted for Khanyile to consult with his legal team and for him to plead to the charges at Friday’s appearance.
“However, before today's (Friday) proceedings could get under way, the instructing advocate on record for Khanyile informed the court that the instructing attorney’s mandate was terminated, and as a matter of course the advocate’s mandate was also terminated,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
“The newly appointed attorney was in court and placed himself on record. He requested for a two-week adjournment to familiarise himself with the documentation as well as to instruct an advocate in the matter.”
Ramkisson-Kara said senior State advocate Yuri Gangai told the court that the delays were a deliberate attempt by the defence to frustrate the process.
The court said that while the situation was not acceptable, Khanyile could not be prejudiced by not having proper legal representation, and therefore granted an adjournment to September 30.
“The defence was told to consult fully and advise the court on the proposed further conduct on the matter at the next appearance.”
Daily News