Cape Town – Former president and MK party leader Jacob Zuma has pledged full support for Bonginkosi Khanyile, who is facing trial for allegedly inciting the July 2021 unrest.
In a video posted on X, Zuma urged MK supporters to attend Khanyile’s court appearance.
The former MK Party Youth League national coordinator is set to return to the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday following last week’s controversy over his absence and subsequent arrest.
“I’m sure we’re all aware that the young man Khanyile is appearing in court tomorrow. I think it will be very good for us to go and support him,” Zuma said.
“It will be absolutely, very, very, very important that those who are arresting people on cases that we don’t see the tail and the head of it, we should go to court and give them the support. It is absolutely important.”
uMkhonto Wesizwe Stands Firmly Behind One Of Our Own…Bonginkosi Khanyile ✊🏾!!!#GwazaMkhontoGwaza #WeSeeYou#SubmitOrFight pic.twitter.com/kIc19YKxfs
— Hon. Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) March 12, 2025
Zuma criticised authorities for making arrests that, in his view, lacked justification.
“In fact, it is something necessary that whenever one of us is facing such a situation, we should be there to give support and make it a point that they should know we are there to defend our comrades. So please, just go there,” he said.
He added: “Quite a number of cases are now coming, and you need to be aware of it and to be there to support one another. Thank you for listening, and please be there tomorrow.”
Khanyile, out on R5,000 bail.
Khanyile faces charges of incitement to commit public violence and violating the Disaster Management Act. The case includes video evidence of him allegedly encouraging protests for Zuma’s release. He was previously fined and removed as an MK youth leader.
The July 2021 riots, sparked by Zuma’s imprisonment, resulted in over 330 deaths.
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