WATCH: Bonginkosi Khanyile is out of prison

02 March 2017 - 12:22 By Bongani Mthethwa
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Fees Must Fall activist Bonginkosi Khanyile has been released from jail.

Speaking outside the Westville Prison in Durban on Thursday‚ he said he had "done nothing wrong". It was his first interview since his arrest in September.

Thuli Dlamini

Picture: Thuli Dlamini

  • Bonginkosi Khanyile‚ an innocent African child: Malema“Bonginkosi is going home today‚ whether they like it or not. He is out on bail‚” said Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF) leader Julius Malema as he told his supporters that the detained student leader was granted bail on Wednesday.

The Constitutional Court yesterday made the order that he be set free after the Durban University of Technology student's legal team reached a settlement with the prosecution that he would be released on R250 bail, subject to conditions.

Thuli Dlamini

Picture: Thuli Dlamini

Khanyile had been in custody since his arrest last year during student protests. He was held on eight charges, including public violence, illegal gathering and inciting violence.

Thuli Dlamini

Picture: Thuli Dlamini

He approached the court on an urgent basis seeking leave to appeal against a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that dashed his hopes of getting bail.

Thuli Dlamini

Picture: Thuli Dlamini

Among the bail conditions are that he does not intimidate staff at the Durban University of Technology.

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng on Wednesday asked the student activist's counsel, advocate Dali Mpofu SC, why it was necessary to keep Khanyile in prison.

Thuli Dlamini

Picture: Thuli Dlamini

"The only fact that stands out is that this student had to be made an example of.

"The prosecutor said there was an order from the president to clamp down on protesting students," Mpofu said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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