Durban – About 200 students marched through central Durban on Friday to demand the release of a student accused of using a slingshot during the #FeesMustFall protests.
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.
EFF supporters march to demand release of #DUT student Bonginkosi Khanyile #FeesMustFall @AfriNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/WiKjTOjMzX
— Joe Stolley (@joestolley) February 24, 2017
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.