The Patriotic Alliance said it is a party of “second chances” after deploying alleged 2021 unrest instigator Bonginkosi Khanyile to work as an advisor at Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.

Khanyile was appointed as strategic advisor to Bakang Lethoko, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for health and social development at Ekurhuleni.

Ekurhuleni is a DA-led multi-party coalition government, with two MMC’s from the PA.

Khanyile’s position is a political appointment.

Kenny Kunene, deputy chairperson of the PA, said there have been efforts to write off Khanyile following his conviction in 2019.

Khanyile was sentenced to three years’ house arrest after being found guilty of public violence during the 2016 Fees Must Fall protests.

“We do not recognise that prison sentence. Khanyile went to jail in the same circumstances Nelson Mandela was sent to prison, because he was fighting for the people.”

Kunene, Khanyile along with the president of the PA, Gayton McKenzie, are ex-convicts.

Kunene said the party believed in second chances and rehabilitation.

“It is not only about second chances but also about quality, passion and commitment to the people,” he said.

“Khanyile is a young boy who is suitably qualified and it is not right to turn [our backs] on him just because he has a criminal record that he got fighting for free education.”

Khanyile holds a B.Tech in public management from the Durban University of Technology, a degree in social sciences from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is currently studying towards an LLB at the University of Witwatersrand.

He is also set to appear in court for his public violence case relating to the July 2021 civil unrest.

His trial has been postponed twice due to Khanyile changing legal representatives at the last minute.

Kunene said the party believed his charges were politically-motivated and believed he would be found not guilty.

“The mandate is clear from PA, he is there as a servant to the community. We don’t want scandals or to bring the party into disrepute.”