HEADLINE:15 Durban Protest Accused Granted R500 Bail
Fifteen individuals arrested in connection with the recent wave of violent protests that engulfed the Durban Central Business District (CBD) and surrounding suburbs have been granted bail of R500 each.
The decision was handed down by the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 16 October 2026, following an intense legal process that drew widespread public attention.
The group of 15, consisting largely of young students, faced a litany of charges including public violence, malicious injury to property, hindering traffic, and the possession of dangerous weapons.
Their release follows a previous appearance on Monday, 12 October, where a 24-year-old Durban University of Technology (DUT) accounting student—co-accused in the same matter—was released on a warning (free bail) so as not to disrupt their final-year examinations.
The arrests stem from a sequence of volatile anti-immigration demonstrations organized by the March and March Movement last week.
The demonstrations escalated rapidly, culminating in widespread looting, the targeting of foreign-owned shops, and the torching of approximately 15 vehicles across the city.
The state initially opposed bail for the suspects, citing the severity of the infrastructure damage and ongoing threats to public safety.
However, the defense successfully argued for their release, leading the magistrate to set bail at a nominal fee of R500 for the remaining 14 accused who were still in custody.
While the 15 protest participants secured their release today, the court continues to deal with the primary organizers of the movement separately:
Sphelele “Magolide” Shinga and Malizo Dzanibe were previously granted R1,000 bail each on Monday under strict conditions prohibiting them from participating in violent protests or visiting Department of Home Affairs offices for intimidation purposes.
Meanwhile Wandile “Method” Nsibande, a prominent movement leader and parolee with a prior kidnapping conviction, remains in custody and is executing a separate bail application.
The broader case involving the 15 accused has been postponed for further police investigation, while a heavy security presence remains on standby outside the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
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