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#FeesMustFall leader Mcebo Dlamini denied bail

Mcebo Dlamini appears in court. Picture Credit: Julia Madibogo
Mcebo Dlamini appears in court. Picture Credit: Julia Madibogo

Controversial former University of the Witwatersrand SRC president Mcebo Dlamini was denied bail in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

The Fees Must Fall student leader‚ who was arrested on Sunday morning‚ is facing charges which include assaulting a police officer‚ theft‚ damage to property and being in possession of dangerous weapons.

During his bail hearing‚ the state declared that part of its evidence is incriminating video footage which shows the student leader attacking and assaulting a police officer.

 State prosecutor Steven Rubin said Dlamini was a flight risk as he was born in Swaziland where he could easily relocate to if released on bail.

Rubin also stated that Dlamini has a history of disobeying court orders as he has shown by disregarding a interdict obtained by Wits prohibiting students from protesting.

 The student leader was also questioned on his reliability after he had told the court on Tuesday morning that he was scheduled to write a test on which turned out to be false.

 Rubin said the video‚ which was shot on campus on October 4‚ shows the student leader holding dangerous weapons such as sticks and stones while protesting‚ and shoes him crossing a police line and assaulting a police officer.

Dlamini has been at the forefront of Fees Must Fall protests which have seen violent student riots intensify at Wits after Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande announced that fees could increase by up to 8% in 2017. – TMG Digital

 

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