Former President Jacob Zuma made a high-profile appearance at the Durban Magistrate’s Court to support MK Party member Bonginkosi Khanyile, who is facing charges of inciting violence during the deadly July 2021 unrest.
Khanyile’s charges stem from his alleged role in encouraging violent protests that erupted following Zuma’s imprisonment for contempt of court—an event that triggered widespread chaos, looting, and over 300 deaths across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Zuma’s presence in court sends a strong political message and underscores ongoing tensions tied to the 2021 unrest. Khanyile, a vocal supporter of Zuma and now aligned with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, has consistently denied the incitement allegations.
The case remains a symbol of the unresolved political and social fractures exposed during the unrest, with the courtroom becoming a focal point for both legal accountability and political solidarity.
