MULTIPLE ACCUSED APPEAR IN COURT FOLLOWING RECENT VIOLENT PROTESTS IN KWAZULU-NATAL

Several people appeared in the Durban Magistrates' Court today in connection with various incidents arising from the recent violent protests in the Durban CBD. The matters were dealt with as follows:

1. State v Sphelele Ngubane (25). Ngubane is charged with:

Public Violence and

Malicious Injury to Property

The matter was postponed to 16 October 2026 for bail investigations. The State is opposed to bail.

2. State v Wandile Nsibande (37), Sphelele Shinga (40) and Malizo Dzanibe (31)

The accused are charged with:

Incitement to Commit Public Violence, Public Violence, Acting in a Riotous or Physically Threatening Manner,

Contravening the Regulation of Gatherings Act read with the Dangerous Weapons Act,

Possession of a Dangerous Weapon,

Resisting a Member of the South African Police Service,

Contravening the South African Police Service Act and

Hindering or Obstructing Traffic

Following an opposed bail application, Shinga and Dzanibe were granted bail of R1 000 each, subject to the following conditions:

They may not participate in violent protests.

They may not interfere with or intimidate Department of Home Affairs officials.

They must refrain from intimidating or threatening foreign nationals.

They may not participate in any forced shutdown of businesses.

The matter was postponed to 16 October 2026 for bail investigations in respect of Nsibande. The State remains opposed to bail.

3. State v Ngiba and 14 Others

The accused face charges of:

Public Violence,

Malicious Injury to Property,

Contravening the Regulation of Gatherings Act read with the Dangerous Weapons Act,

Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, and

Hindering or Obstructing Traffic

Following an opposed bail application, Accused 4 was released on warning. The matter was postponed to 16 October 2026 for bail consideration of the other accused. The State is opposed to bail.

4. State v Kebede Belachew Basore, Ge Chew Perakaso and Wo DaJe Girma

The accused appeared on a charge of Attempted Murder. The matter was postponed to 19 October 2026 for bail consideration. The State is opposed to bail.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson KwaZulu-Natal Division