KEY POINTS
- Bonginkosi Khanyile, linked to the July 2021 unrest, was arrested after skipping court for his trial, leading to the cancellation of his bail.
- Before his arrest, Khanyile posted a cryptic message on social media, expressing no regrets about his role in the Free Jacob Zuma campaign.
- The July 2021 unrest, triggered by Zuma’s imprisonment, resulted in widespread violence, looting, and over 300 deaths, with Khanyile’s case highlighting ongoing accountability efforts.
Bonginkosi Khanyile, a prominent figure linked to the July 2021 unrest that swept through KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, was arrested on Tuesday after failing to appear for the start of his trial at the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
According to IOL, Khanyile, who faces charges related to the widespread violence and looting during the unrest, had his bail provisionally cancelled, and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), confirmed the details.
“The matter was on the court roll on Monday for the trial to commence, and Khanyile failed to appear in court. The attorney on record for the accused did not know where he was and was granted leave to withdraw as attorney of record,” she said. The case was postponed to 12 pm, but Khanyile still did not show up, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Cryptic social media post fuels speculation
Before his arrest, Khanyile took to X (formerly Twitter) to post a cryptic message that many interpreted as a farewell. In the post, he expressed no regrets about his involvement in the Free Jacob Zuma campaign, which was a catalyst for the 2021 unrest. “No intimidation, unjust arrest, and imprisonment will ever shake, deter, or move me,” he wrote. He also spoke of the temporary nature of suffering and the promise of a brighter future for South Africa.
The July 2021 unrest, one of the most devastating periods in South Africa’s recent history, was marked by widespread violence, looting, and destruction. It was triggered by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma and exacerbated by deep-seated socio-economic grievances. Over 300 people lost their lives, and billions of rands in damage were reported.
Khanyile was arrested on March 4 and appeared in court the same day. He remains in custody, with a bail inquiry scheduled for March 5. His arrest has reignited discussions about accountability for the unrest and the broader socio-political issues that fueled it.
