Durban University of Technology activist Bonginkosi Khanyile who has been incarcerated for 63 days following clashes with police during the Fees Must Fall protests has been denied bail.

Khanyile is facing eight charges that include public violence‚ illegal gathering and inciting violence.

Magistrate Jackie Jonck denied him bail in October after the court heard during the initial application that Khanyile had a strong influence over students and that lecturers would be reluctant to give statements to police because they were fearful.

Chanting “one settler‚ one bullet“‚ Khanyile’s supporters were furious when he was denied bail for the second time in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday afternoon.

Jonck delivered her ruling under a heavy police presence. Supporters‚ most of whom were EFF members‚ heckled and shouted when Jonck sent Khanyile back to jail.

They broke out into struggle songs in the corridors. Supporters said they were furious but would not give up their efforts to ensure that Khanyile is released from custody.

During his first court appearance‚ prosecutor Roshiela Benimadho opposed bail for the 26-year old.

She argued that he is facing serious charges and was linked to pending similar matters committed at DUT previously and in Umlazi.

The member of the EFF Student Command was among those who led a march to the KZN legislature and threatened Speaker Lydia Johnson that if she did not act on their grievances they would forcibly storm the legislature‚ enact no fee laws and that he would personally preside over legislature as speaker.