Orefile Sefika’s attorney, Tebogo Kalaote, tells OFM News that an application was brought forward by him in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, to have investigations into his client’s case finalised, come the next court date – 11 October. Sefika was arrested on 20 July, on the back of violent unrest in Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng, for allegedly posting and sharing messages on social media that called on people to join in on the nationwide unrest. The state previously requested a postponement for forensic investigations into the student’s phone records.

ALSO READ: Damage to property due to #SAunrest may cost more than R15 billion
 
Kalaote previously said the state’s case against his client is “baseless” on account of the fact that the University of the Free State's (UFS) SRC treasurer’s social media messages, which reportedly called for people to partake in the national shutdown, did not lead to any violence in the province and as such amount to nothing more than freedom of speech. Sefika appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on 21 July, facing charges of inciting violence following his arrest and subsequent release out on a warning from the Bainsvlei Police Station on 20 July.

ALSO READ: Death toll from #SAunrest jumps to 337

Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, said on 15 July 2021 the accused’s cell phone was confiscated for investigation purposes. His arrest comes after incidents of massive looting of both private businesses and public institutions in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, allegedly in protest against the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma. Thousands of people were arrested by late July for inciting violence during the shutdown.

OFM News