Bonginkosi Khanyile, nabbed for his alleged involvement in the incitement of the shutdown riots that broke out in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng in July, appeared before the Durban Magistrate’s Court for his bail hearing on Thursday.
Watch: Bonginkosi Khanyile adamant Zuma’s arrest was unconstitutional
The 31-year-old stood at the dock and right before proceedings got underway, he shared his thoughts on the ongoing conviction of former president Jacob Zuma.
“We are strong (like) the lion in the jungle. We cannot be moved by anything because we are innocent. Our souls and consciousness are clear,” he exclaimed.
Khanyile was arrested last weekend and charged with inciting public violence, holding an illegal gathering and not wearing a face mask.
The State, it’s believed, has evidence to show that Khanyile, who was very much key to the Fees Must Fall protests, played a significant role in inciting the riots that crippled crucial economic hubs in KZN and Gauteng.
From the tone of his voice in this video clip, it seems the 31-year-old’s conscience is clear — he will face a hanging on the gallows for Zuma.
Bonginkosi Khanyile: "President Zuma was arrested in a thuggery manner"#CR17BankStatements John Hlophe #NoVaccine #Zondo #malema Cyril Ramaphosa pic.twitter.com/1Qfat9RD5n
— Nkosinati (@NkosinatiMagwa) August 26, 2021
Proceedings in his bail hearing were still ongoing at the time this article was published.
What’s the latest with Jacob Zuma?
Meanwhile, the man whom Khanyile is ready to die for faces his own ailments. Last week, the Department of Correctional Services released a statement confirming the former president was being held at a medical facility, where he is undergoing examinations to assess his fitness to complete his 15-month bid at Estcourt prison.
This came after the 79-year-old was taken to his scheduled medical assessment.
“As inmates are placed in correctional centres involuntarily, the state has a total and inescapable responsibility and duty to care for them in a manner that does not violate or compromise their constitutional rights, which include access to health care,” Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said.
While Zuma fights to get back to health, his financial standing has taken a knock. The former president faces a looming summons from the State’s Attorney General for unpaid legal fees totalling more than R18.2 million.
Left out on a lurch by the ANC, the 79-year-old’s foundation launched a crowdfunding campaign, pleading with South Africans and Zuma loyalists to make contributions to a Capitec Bank account.
In a recent statement posted on Twitter, this was the progress report on the Jacob Zuma Foundation’s fundraiser:
The requested support has started pouring in.
— JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) August 25, 2021
The Foundation is grateful to those who have already made sacrifices to help one of our own, H.E Prez Zuma.
Thank you.
The road ahead is still long but together we shall conquer. https://t.co/AMp6qktOnj