Denying #FeesMustFall leader bail is ‘detention without trial through the back door’‚ lawyer argues

08 November 2016 - 13:50 By TMG Digital

Fees Must Fall leader and former Wits SRC president Mcebo Dlamini’s urgent bail application got underway on Tuesday with an attack on the credibility of the evidence against him. The South Gauteng High Court‚ sitting in Palm Ridge‚ was packed and included an appearance by Anglican Bishop Jo Seoka and former Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.Dlamini is facing charges including assaulting a police officer‚ theft‚ damage to property and being in possession of dangerous weapons‚ which include stones and sticks.He is being represented by advocate Dali Mpofu who argued‚ “these are just trumped-up charges”.He went as far as to suggest that the state was trying to “reintroduce detention without trial through the back door” by opposing the release of Dlamini on bail.Addressing fears that Dlamini would disturb the peace or cause violence should he be released‚ Mpofu said that the state and police had promised to produce video evidence of Dlamini with dangerous weapons and throwing a brick.“This promise of the video footage was never actualised. All that was produced was two still photographs.”Dlamini could not be identified in the images‚ he argued.The hearing continues...

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