By Celani Sikhakhane
Former MK Party youth leader arrested after missing court and not being able to afford R10,000 fee from Shaik’s lawyers.
- Khanyile spent a night in jail before getting different legal help and being released.
MK Party’s former youth leader Bonginkosi Khanyile couldn’t get help from lawyers sent by Schabir Shaik after they demanded R10,000 for a court appearance.
Khanyile was arrested for contempt of court after failing to show up at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday. His R5,000 bail from the 2021 unrest case was cancelled due to his absence.
He spent Tuesday night in custody at Durban Central police station. While there, he reached out to MK Party contacts to get help from Shaik.
His friend Breakdown Mathenjwa told Scrolla.Africa they had hoped Shaik would help them.
“They wanted R10,000 for the appearance fee which was not available but there was a lawyer who came on our assistance to help Khanyile. Fortunately he was released,” said Mathenjwa.
Khanyile, a former Fees Must Fall activist, faces charges connected to the 2021 unrest that led to widespread looting. Thursday’s court proceedings were brief as Khanyile made changes to his legal team.
He maintains his innocence: “There’s nowhere where I burnt a building or looting, there’s nowhere they found anything of me,” said Khanyile.
Many MK Party members came to support Khanyile in court. Induna Phumlani Mfeka of the traditional civic society iNjenje yabeNguni, who supported Khanyile, said he is being arrested because of his views on black communities.
“Despite your stand at the MK Party but we will continue to fight for the likes of Khanyile,” said Mfeka.
Pictured above: MK Party former youth leader released from custody despite Schabir Shaik lawyers’ failed intervention.
Image source: @Khanyile_BG
