Nineteen people linked to the protest violence in the Durban CBD were expected to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday, IOL reported.
They include three members of the March and March Movement. They are Wandile “Method” Nsibande, Sphelele Magolide Shinga and Malizo Dzanibe.
The three men face charges of incitement to commit public violence, public violence and acting in a riotous or threatening manner. They are also charged with possession of a dangerous weapon, resisting police and obstructing traffic, among other counts.
“Violent protests are not something to be taken lightly. We are concerned that the accused may reoffend and that they are therefore likely to endanger the safety and security of the public,” senior prosecutor Roshiela Benimadho told the court.
The men were arrested on Saturday outside the Home Affairs Durban Refugee Reception Centre. This followed a week of protests against illegal immigration and a Constitutional Court ruling on asylum seekers’ applications.
NPA spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the matter was in court for bail investigations in respect of Nsibande.
On Monday, Shinga and Dzanibe were each granted bail of R1 000. Under their bail conditions, they may not take part in violent protests or forced shutdowns of businesses. They also may not intimidate Home Affairs officials or threaten foreign nationals.
Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Shinga was arrested for threatening to shut down Moses Mabhida Stadium. Police said the aim was to stop the MTN8 Cup Final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.
During the protests on 8 October, 14 vehicles were set on fire on Dr Pixley Ka Seme Street, formerly West Street. This happened when protesters clashed with foreign nationals.
Two houses, three shops, a motorbike and a second-hand tyre dealership were also set alight in the CBD and in Umbilo.
Benimadho said the state plans to show video footage of Shinga forcefully shutting down businesses linked to foreign nationals. She said the footage shows him carrying a wooden stick and hitting police officers who were protecting people and property.
“This case concerns the leadership role they play and the type of influence they have on the wider gatherings,” she told the court.
Defence attorney Xolani Christopher Zuma told the court that Shinga, Dzanibe and Nsibande feared for their safety behind bars. He said foreign nationals had been given the task of providing food to inmates at the Durban Central holding cells, and his clients were worried about eating it.
Zuma asked the court to keep Nsibande at the Durban Central police holding cells rather than at Westville prison. He said Nsibande had spoken publicly about assaults he suffered from prison officials at Westville.
“Instructions I received were that foreign nationals have been transferred to Westville Prison. The fear is that Nsibande would face double jeopardy because he would have to meet these officials and the foreign nationals in prison,” Zuma said.
Nsibande was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery and kidnapping in a 2009 case. He is out on parole.
In a separate case, 15 people face charges that include public violence and malicious injury to property. The court heard on Monday that several of them are students, some preparing for exams.
Their bail application was also due to be heard on Friday. Sphelele Ngubane, 25, who is charged with public violence and malicious injury to property, was also expected to apply for bail on Friday.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL. Image: IOL. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.