Staff Reporter.
Alleged unrest instigator Bonginkosi Khanyile has been granted R5 000 bail in the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
Khanyile is accused of inciting public violence on social media during civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July in which more than 350 people died.
He allegedly posted various hashtags in support of former president Jacob Zuma’s release from prison. Zuma was jailed for contempt of court.
Khanyile was arrested in Johannesburg last month.
In terms of his bail conditions, he is prohibited from using his Twitter account for the duration of the case.
The magistrate said if Khanyile breached any of these conditions, he would be taken back into custody until the outcome of the case.
Khanyile, 31, is a staunch supporter of Zuma and had called for Zuma’s release after the former president was imprisoned for being in contempt of court.
Khanyile’s mother Phumzile Makhathini said she was looking forward to seeing her son again after being unable to talk to him from prison.
“I am over the moon. I am overjoyed at the decision by the court to release my child. I wish they would show this fairness to others. He was never a criminal or person who does terrible things.
“He was exercising his right to express something he was not happy about. We are happy the court saw that,” she said.
The matter was adjourned to September 23 for a pre-trial hearing.