Two men accused of disrupting President Jacob Zuma’s centenary lecture at the Good Hope Centre last week have been released on R500 bail each.
Sibusiso Nkomiyahlaba, 25, of New Crossroads, and Siviwe Gxothiwe, 27, of Khayelitsha, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
It is alleged that the men, claiming to be supporters of the ANC Youth League’s embattled president, Julius Malema, tried to storm the stage.
This resulted in a violent clash with police, with State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele being manhandled and SABC cameraman Rudi le Roux injured as chairs were flung into the air.
A bloodied Le Roux was taken to Christiaan Barnard Hospital after being hit by a chair.
Zuma was well into his lecture when the group, who had a UDF banner, started heckling.
Shortly afterwards, up to 300 people joined in, reportedly booing and singing “Jacob Zuma uphi uJuju as’phelelanga (Jacob Zuma not all of us are here, where’s Juju)”.
Prosecutor Melaney Wells said the State was not opposed to releasing the men on bail as they had no previous convictions, no pending cases and no outstanding warrants.
They have been charged with public violence.
Wells suggested bail be set at R1 500 each on condition they report to the police station closest to them once a week.
Jody Sampson, representing the men, said both were unemployed and lived with their mothers, who also had no jobs.
“The accused say the amount is excessive and can only raise R500 based on their personal circumstances” Sampson said.
Magistrate Frederick Louw granted them bail of R500 each, saying they had to report to Philippi police station every Saturday between 7am and 9pm.
They are due back in court on April 10.
[email protected] - Cape Argus