Family, students and the media have filled the public gallery while waiting for Witwatersrand (Wits) student leader Mcebo Dlamini to appear for his second bail application at the High Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
The 30-year-old student faces charges of public violence, theft, malicious damage to property and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following his arrest at his Wits residence in October.
Police nyalas and Ekhuruleni metro police were stationed outside the court gates. The entrance to the court room was also heavily guarded by police.
On October 21, the former Student Representative Council president and #FeesMustFall leader was allegedly on a hunger strike in prison. This was according to Nkululeko Tselane, a Wits student and one ofthe #FeesMustFall activists, who visited him at the time.
At his previous appearance at the Johanneburg Magistrates Court, Magistrate Albertus Roux denied him bail and said releasing Dlamini would not be in the interests of justice because the evidence before the court showed he would not be able to maintain peaceful protests.
Former COSATU secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi and Bishop Jo Seoke are also present in court in support of Dlamini.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
