Durban — The trial of alleged July unrest instigator and #FeesMustFall activist Bonginkosi Khanyile has been postponed.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the trial was postponed to August 19, after Khanyile’s attorney requested a postponement citing a “crucial” document that needed to be discussed with his client.
Khanyile’s trial was scheduled to start on Monday in the Durban Regional Court.
Khanyile faces a charge of incitement to commit public violence, as well as charges of contravention of the Disaster Management Act relating to the acts of looting and violence that took place in KZN in July 2021.
Ramkisson-Kara said that during his last court appearance, the defence and the State had assured the court of their readiness to proceed with the trial.
“The trial is anticipated to run until August 26,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
The #FeesMustFall activist was released on R5 000 bail in September last year.
The State alleges that between July 8 and July 11, 2021, at or near Warwick Avenue in Durban, Khanyile unlawfully and intentionally incited, instigated, commanded or procured people unknown to the State to commit public violence.
Khanyile had appeared in court in February for a pre-trial conference.
In December last year, a warrant of arrest was issued for Khanyile after he failed to appear in court.
The court had issued the warrant as he had not provided a reason for his absence, Ramkisson-Kara said in December.
He then appeared in court on December 17; the warrant of arrest was issued after he failed to appear in court on December 13.
Khanyile gave the court a medical certificate to explain his absence.
It was accepted by the court and the matter was postponed to February 8, 2022, for a pre-trial conference.
As part of Khanyile’s bail conditions, he had to suspend his Twitter account and report to a police station in either Gauteng or Durban.
Daily News