Latest news with #RiotousAssembliesAct
The South African
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
From courtroom to clubhouse: Busy day for Jacob Zuma
Former President Jacob Zuma showed his support for Bonginkosi Khanyile at the Durban Regional Court on Friday, 11 July. Khanyile stands accused of inciting violence during the July 2021 unrest, which erupted after Zuma was sentenced for contempt of court for failing to appear before the State Capture Commission. In addition to this charge, Khanyile faces charges of contravention of the Riotous Assemblies Act, for which he was arrested last year. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member is also alleged to have made a public statement during the 2024 national elections. He allegedly encouraged citizens to protest and potentially engage in violence if the political party of his choice was not included on the ballot. JULY UNREST CASE POSTPONED According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the state has already presented evidence from five witnesses. The case has now been postponed to two new sets of dates: 29 September to 3 October 2025, and again from 13 to 17 October 2025. This is to allow for the continuation of the state's case. Following his court appearance, Zuma is expected to attend the MK Party's Annual Youth Golf Development event. According to a statement released by the party, he is scheduled to tee off at the Royal Durban Golf Club. The golf day turned heads for its hefty price tag, reportedly costing R250 000 for the Durban fundraiser. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
IOL News
23-06-2025
- IOL News
Ex-cop held over alleged political 'hit' fails in another bail bid
Bulelani Yosana is currently awaiting trial alongside accused hitman James Easton for the contract murder of Bloekombos teacher and ANC activist Vuyo Dana. Yosana's latest bail appeal bid failed in the Western Cape High Court. Image: File MURDER accused Bulelani Yosana has failed to convince the Western Cape that the State's case against him has considerably weakened after a Section 204 witness recanted on their statement. Yosana is currently awaiting trial alongside accused hitman James Easton for the contract murder of Bloekombos teacher and ANC activist Vuyo Dana. A trial date is yet to be set for the matter. After a previous unsuccessful attempt, Yosana, a former police officer and ANC branch secretary, filed a new bail bid appeal with the High Court, citing the recanted statement, that a trial date remains unset, and that his bank account is about to be closed for non-compliance with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act. Dana was shot and killed at his home in February 2022 while on his way to work at Bloekombos Senior Secondary School, in Kraaifontein, in what has been alleged to be a politically-motivated killing. Yosana brought the second bail application on the basis that new facts have arisen since the initial bail court (Regional Court) refused to admit him on bail, pending the finalisation of his trial. Yosana and Easton face a variety of charges including a contravention of Section 18 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, conspiracy to murder, and murder. Through his attorney, Yosana submitted that following the bail application hearing, and the appeal, they discovered a statement in which the Section 204 witness recanted what he stated in his Section 204 affidavit. According to Yosana's lawyer, there are no eyewitness accounts that place Yosana on the scene, and he claims that due to the recanting statement, there was insufficient evidence. 'According to Mr Booth (Yosana's attorney), this recanting statement was never discovered by the State, and as such, it alters the overall picture of the State's case. 'In this (newly) discovered statement, the Section 204 witness is recanting what he initially told the police about the involvement of the applicant (Yosana) in the commission of the offences the applicant is arraigned on. Booth advanced the argument that the State case is based primarily on the evidence of the Section 204 witness. 'Booth's argument postulates that if the Section 204 witness has recanted his original police affidavit, wherein he originally implicated the applicant in the crimes, the necessary corollary is that the State's case has since been considerably weakened. According to the applicant, this discovery presents an insurmountable hurdle for the State,' the court record read. The State did not dispute that the Section 204 witness has since recanted his first key pre-trial statement. 'According to the State's heads of argument, the Section 204 witness filed a recanting statement after the residence of the witness was visited by the applicant and after the applicant's arrest. To this end, the State specifically contends that the recanting statement is a product of interference with a State witness,' the judgment further read.
