Former radio DJ Ngizwe Mchunu accused of unrest incitement and Covid-19 rules breaches was on Thursday granted R2 000 bail at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.
The state had contended that Mchunu should not be granted bail because he was a “flight risk”.
The National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa (NPA), which produced videos of Mchunu “inciting” crowds, said the accused only handed himself over to the police when he realised he was cornered.
Mchunu allegedly talked up violence at a Bryanston hotel on 11 July, just days after former president Jacob Zuma was arrested and jailed for contempt of court.
The NPA said the former Ukhozi FM radio presenter chartered a plane from Johannesburg to Durban in an attempt to evade arrest.
Mchunu, who spent a week behind bars, pleaded with the court to grant him bail and promised he would attend his trial if released.
The Randburg Magistrates Court granted Mchunu bail after hearing two days of evidence because it said the state failed to prove Mchunu was a flight risk.
Outside the court Mchunu’s supporters, who included BLF members – one of them with money stuck on his clothing, broke into song and dance.
Mchunu is facing charges of incitement to cause public violence and contravening the Disaster Management Act relating to the recent unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The unrest began as the #FreeZuma campaign on social media and then it turned into looting and destruction.
More than 300 people lost their lives in the unrest and billions of rand were lost in damages to infrastructure and property.
Mchunu’s trial will begin in October.
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