Johannesburg – Demonstrators clad in Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) regalia gathered at the Constitutional Court on Wednesday as an application by student activist Bonginkosi Khanyile was being heard.
The awaiting trial Fees Must Fall activist is challenging his failure to be granted bail.
The demonstrators, led by the University of Witwatersrand's EFF Student Command branch, sang revolutionary songs outside the court precinct. They vowed to keep demonstrating until Khanyile was released on bail. They started arriving in groups early on Wednesday morning.
An EFF branded truck was stationed outside where police formed a line preventing demonstrators from reaching the court entrance. Khanyile was being represented by EFF chairman advocate Dali Mpofu.
Advocate Dali Mpofu, left, seen during a break in the #BonginkosiKhanyile case at the Constitutional Court. Photo: EFF/Twitter
Khanyile is a student at KwaZulu-Natal's Durban University of Technology (DUT). He has been accused of using a slingshot during the #FeesMustFall protests in Durban and was arrested during running battles with police on September 27 last year.
Chief Justice Mogoeng: You're forgetting that you're dealing with a human being and a human being's life. #BonginkosiKhanyile
— EFF Official Account (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 1, 2017
Khanyile 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 as he had violated his bail conditions related to an earlier case when he was arrested during student protests in February last year.
Chief Justice Mogoeng: people accused of rape & murder get bail. What is it tht stands out about this 1 that he doesn't? #BonginkosiKhanyile
— EFF Official Account (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 1, 2017
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 decisions of the two lower courts.