FMF activist Mcebo Dlamini convicted, handed suspended sentence
Fees Must Fall activist Mcebo Dlamini has received a suspended sentence after being convicted of public violence and contravening the country’s immigrations laws.
The High Court in Johannesburg sentenced Dlamini to two years and a half years in prison on Monday, wholly suspended for five years.
Dlamini faced five charges linked to the Fees Must Fall protests in 2015.
The Wits University student was arrested in 2016 and charged with violating a court order, public violence, theft, and malicious damage to property during the protests.
He was also accused of assaulting a police officer.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Gauteng Phindi Mjondondwane says the sentencing of Dlamini brings the matter to a close.
"He approached the NPA and told us that he wanted to plead guilty and then the case was brought forward to today for that purpose. He pleaded guilty to the charge of public violence and one of being illegal in the country so he was sentenced to two years for the first charge of public violence and 6 months imprisonment for the one of being illegal in the country.
"We accepted the plea bargain and we stopped prosecution on the other charges."
Dlamini has also been given three days to approach the Department of Home Affairs to review his status in the country.
In a social media post, Dlamini welcomed the judgement.
"As law abiding citizen I accept the ruling," Dlamini wrote.
He also acknowledged that the ruling would dash his dream of practicing law.
"Today marked the end of my legal career.”