Khanyile testifies to WhatsApp contact with Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla during July unrest trial

BONGINKOSI Khanyile, accused of inciting the July 2021 unrest, testified in court that he regularly communicated with Jacob Zuma's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla via WhatsApp.

During cross-examination, Khanyile faced accusations of deliberately misleading the court regarding the timing of his inflammatory speeches calling for continued protests until Zuma's release

The former Fees Must Fall activist is charged with incitement to commit public violence and the contravention of the Disaster Management Act linked to the July 2021 unrest.

Khanyile said at the time he was calling for the release of former President Jacob Zuma, who was incarcerated for contempt of court regarding his failure to appear before the State Capture Commission.

During cross-examination by prosecutor Yuri Gangai, Khanyile was questioned about the date when the videos - in which he was seen addressing crowds and urging them to keep burning the country and to block roads until Zuma was released – was recorded.

Khanyile said that the recordings occurred between 18 and 26 July 2021.

Gangai reminded Khanyile that during his evidence-in-chief, he had specified the date as July 26. Khanyile claimed he could not provide a specific day.

"I am putting to you that you are misleading this court deliberately,” Gangai asserted.

Khanyile told the senior prosecutor “You are entitled to your opinion, which you cannot prove to the court. It is based on your feelings. Unless you have scientific facts.”

When asked about the messages that he sent to Zuma-Sambudla on July 10, Khanyile said it was not a coincidence as he communicated often with her. 

The trial continues. 

POST