UPDATE | March and March’s Wandile Nsibande rearrested shortly after being granted bail | News24

- March and March’s Wandile Nsibande was rearrested minutes after being granted R1 000 bail, and correctional services confirmed that he was under the department’s care.

- Correctional services said his sentence for robbery and kidnapping was due to expire in 2034 and he remained subject to parole conditions, which had seemingly been violated.

- Nsibande faces charges of incitement to public violence linked to an anti-immigrant protest in the Durban CBD organised by March and March.

March and March member Wandile Nsibande was rearrested minutes after being granted R1 000 bail in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday, with the leader of the anti-immigrant group, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, saying he was taken into custody over an alleged parole violation.

Speaking outside court, Ngobese-Zuma told a crowd that the Department of Correctional Services arrived shortly after Magistrate Sicelo Zuma granted Nsibande bail.

“So they took him in, and they arrived with about six cars, and they took him away to rearrest him,” she said.

Ngobese-Zuma said Nsibande’s legal team sought an explanation from the officials but was allegedly told that the instruction to detain him had come from the national office.

She said the legal team expected to receive reasons for his detention by Monday, adding that the parole authorities needed to explain the basis for the action.

This was confirmed by Nsibande’s attorney, Xolani Zuma.

Correctional services said on Friday evening that Nsibande, as an active parolee, was now in the department’s care.

“Nsibande was placed under community corrections on 4 March 2022 and remains subject to parole conditions. His sentence for robbery and kidnapping is due to expire on 19 May 2034,” said spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo.

He said parolees are required to strictly comply with the conditions attached to their placement under community corrections, through which they serve their sentence in the community. These include, among others, obtaining prior permission before leaving their magisterial district and notifying the department of any change in their physical address or place of residence.

He said during this period, the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board must convene to review the parole placement and determine the appropriate course of action.

Nsibande had been granted bail in a case related to alleged incitement to commit public violence, public violence and other offences linked to an anti-immigrant protest orchestrated by March and March in the Durban CBD.

During his bail hearing, senior prosecutor Roshiela Benimadho revealed that Nsibande was convicted in 2009 in connection with the hijacking and kidnapping of Kavisha Seevnarain, a 26-year-old schoolteacher who was thrown from the uMkhomazi River bridge after being robbed.

According to court reporting, Nsibande and his co-perpetrators hijacked Seevnarain, forced her into another vehicle and withdrew money from her bank account using her card and PIN. She was later thrown from the bridge and survived with serious injuries, including fractures to her pelvis and spine, broken ribs and punctured lungs.

Nsibande was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment in connection with the case.

During Friday’s bail proceedings, the investigating officer alleged that he had breached parole conditions, including requirements to conduct himself properly and not commit further offences.

The State also referred to a pending assault-related matter in opposing his release.

Despite the State’s opposition, Magistrate Zuma granted Nsibande R1 000 bail, finding no likelihood that he would evade trial or intimidate witnesses, who include law enforcement officers.

In delivering his decision, Zuma said the court could not determine at this stage whether Nsibande had breached his parole conditions.

The magistrate noted that Nsibande had served his sentence following his 2009 conviction and was currently on parole.

He is due back in court on 26 November, alongside co-accused Sphelele Shinga and Malizo Dzanibe.

Nsibande, through his attorney, had indicated that he intended to plead not guilty to the charges against him.

He denied that he would evade trial or interfere with State investigations and witnesses.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the latest developments.