DURBAN – Bonginkosi Khanyile, the Durban University of Technology student, accused of using a slingshot during the recent #FeesMustFall protests was denied bail for a second time in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
National Prosecuting Authority spokeswoman Natasha Ramkisson-Kara confirmed that he had been denied bail and that the case against him had been postponed to December 6.
Exactly what happened in the courtroom or the reasons for bail being denied for a second time is not known because Magistrate Jackie Jonck on Monday ordered that the bail proceedings be held in camera with no one allowed in court apart from court officials, Khanyile’s legal representative and the prosecutor in the matter.
Attempts on Monday by media to address Jonck in a bid for the media to report on the new bail application were rejected.
Usually when proceedings are ordered to be held in camera, it is due to the involvement of a minor or a sexual offence.
Khanyile, who was arrested in running battles with police on September 27, but been charged with incitement to commit public violence, participating in an illegal gathering, possession of explosives and dangerous weapons, obstructing traffic and causing a nuisance on public roads.
It is understood that the new bail application is made on the basis that there was new evidence to be submitted to court. However, because the matter was not open to the public or media, it is not known what this new evidence is.
In handing down her decision to deny Khanyile bail on October 17, Jonck cited video evidence that showed Khanyile assaulting police and encouraging students to “moer the police”.
– African News Agency (ANA)
