Students march in Durban to demand release of slingshot student

The group of students marched from Curries Fountain Stadium through the city centre to the Medwood Gardens opposite the Durban City Hall.

The students sang and danced as they made their way down Pixley ka Seme Street (formerly West Street) under the watchful eye of the police. Traffic was temporarily disrupted due to the protest.

Bonginkosi Kh‎anyile, who was arrested during running battles with police on September 27, has been charged with incitement to commit public violence, illegal gathering, possession of explosives and dangerous weapons, obstructing traffic and causing a nuisance on public roads.

Khanyile was last year denied bail on this case as he had violated his bail conditions related to an earlier case when he was arrested during student protests in February last year.

Two appeals to have bail granted were refused by the Durban Magistrate’s Court and the Durban High Court. The Supreme Court of Appeal also refused earlier this year to entertain a petition to review the decision of the two lower courts.

Khanyile’s supporters handed a memorandum to a senior official from the National Prosecuting Authority demanding that he be released and that the NPA should act impartially.

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.