TikToker Max Makhanya has been granted R7,000 bail by the Durban Magistrate’s Court after being charged with crimen injuria and incitement to commit violence over alleged remarks about KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
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The case has been postponed to 20 January 2027.
Max’s arrest followed a video in which he allegedly made insulting remarks about Nhlanhla. Police also accused him of making statements that encouraged violence.
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TikToker Max Makhanya leaves the Durban Magistrate’s Court after being granted R7,000 bail. https://t.co/zfAdpM9dzm
— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) November 2, 2026
According to earlier details, Max was arrested near Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu by members of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Task Team. His arrest came after the video attracted police attention over its alleged content.
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What was said in the TikTok video?
In the video, Max allegedly accused “Mkhwanazi’s police” in KwaZulu-Natal of violating the rights of South Africans. He questioned whether authorities were waiting for someone to die before taking action and challenged the commissioner over his alleged silence while people’s rights were being violated in eThekwini.
The video reportedly focused on the treatment of people participating in protests, with Max accusing police officers of allegedly brutalising protesters. Police said the content contained possible criminal elements of crimen injuria and incitement to violence, prompting the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Task Team to open a case.
According to IOL, Max later deleted the video and apologised, saying he had spoken to SAPS management and had been informed that officers were doing everything in their power to address criminal elements within the police service.
Bail conditions
The Citizen reported that one of Max’s bail conditions is that he must not directly or indirectly incite violence. He was released on R7,000 bail following his appearance at the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
The matter has been postponed to 20 January 2027. Max remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Featured image: X/@CrimeWatch_RSA
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