Trial against man accused of instigating July unrest set to begin

DURBAN - The trial of the man accused of being the instigator of the 2021 July unrest, Bonginkosi Khanyile, is expected to get underway on Thursday.  

Khanyile is charged with incitement to commit public violence and contravening the Disaster Management Act linked to the unrest.  

Khanyile is one of those who called for the release of former President Jacob Zuma during his incarceration at the Estcourt Correctional Facility.  

The State believes Khanyile had a hand in the public anarchy that cost the country billions and resulted in the loss of lives of more than 300 people.  

Days before the July 2021 unrest took place, activists and supporters of Zuma were calling for his release from prison.  

Zuma was at the time serving a 15-month jail term for contempt of court, after his refusal to appear before the Commission of Enquiry into State Capture.  

Among them was Khanyile, who was seen addressing public gatherings that at the time, was against COVID-19 protocols.  

Shortly after his arrest, Khanyile maintained his stance from the dock at the Durban Magistrates Court.  

“President Zuma must be free. We will say that even if we are facing a death sentence. Even if we are about to be hanged in the gallows, we will say that. In any platform, we will say it because he was arrested in a thuggery manner and undemocratic manner.”  

The State will on Thursday present its case at the Durban Magistrates Court.