Durban - The trial of alleged July 2021 unrest instigator Bonginkosi Khanyile was postponed to Friday after he made a brief appearance at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Khanyile is facing various charges related to the looting, including the charge of incitement to commit public violence, as well as charges of contravention of the Disaster Management Act.
His new political home, the Patriotic Alliance (PA), says they will support him throughout his trial, and they don’t believe he was capable of instigating that much violence.
Jonathan Clarke, PA chairperson in KwaZulu-Natal, says Khanyile is a loyal and straightforward person.
“What I have seen of him since I have known him is that he is a pure man. I don’t believe that he enticed violence. If he did, than he must be a very powerful man to control the whole of KZN.”
Clarke adds that they will back him up no matter the verdict at the end of the trial.
The former Fees Must Fall activist and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member says being expelled from the party was a blessing in disguise as he has found a new home and he is happy.
Adding that after he was expelled from the EFF, he thought he would leave politics for good.
“I only rejoined politics after Kenny Kunene spoke to me and asked me to get back to politics, and I joined the PA this year,” he said.
Police have identified more than 80 suspects from various provinces for crimes related to the July unrest.
Last week Friday, 22 alleged instigators made a brief appearance in court, and on Monday, four others also made brief appearances and were granted bail.