The appearance of Ngizwe Mchunu in the Randburg magistrate’s court on Wednesday brings the number of people who have appeared in court for inciting last week’s deadly violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal to four.
Mchunu, a former Ukhozi FM DJ, was remanded after his court appearance on charges of incitement to commit public violence.
He will appear again in court next Wednesday for a formal bail application.
His arrest and court appearance follows that of West Rand-based Patriotic Alliance member Bruce Nimmerhoudt, ANC ward councillor Clarence Tabane and Sbusiso Mavuso.
After the incarceration of Jacob Zuma 10 days ago, Gauteng and KZN were plunged into anarchy when thousands of people went on a looting rampage last week, burning down shopping malls, torching trucks and blocking the N3 in a wave of violence that left at least 215 people dead.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga told Sunday Times Daily that Mavuso, Tabane and Nimmerhoudt allegedly circulated WhatsApp voice notes inciting public violence, with Nimmerhoudt also allegedly calling for the blocking of highways.
He said Mchunu, a staunch Jacob Zuma ally, allegedly called on people to commit violence at a press conference in Johannesburg.
Mhaga said the four had appeared separately in the Roodepoort, Randburg and Westonaria magistrates’ courts on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and were all remanded after they were denied bail.
“We hope these arrests and subsequent prosecution will deter others and restore public confidence in the NPA rule of law and criminal justice system.”
With regards to Mchunu’s case, they would be opposing bail.
“When he heard he was wanted by law enforcement, he allegedly left Joburg on a private jet.”
Mhaga said when the pressure mounted for him to be arrested, Mchunu handed himself over to the police.
“We will be arguing that he is a flight risk. We will be arguing that incidents of commission of these offences induced outrage within the community.”
He said after an assessment of a video of Mchunu’s address, the NPA was convinced the words he used amounted to the incitement to commit public violence.
Mhaga said evidence was being analysed and that further charges could not be ruled out.
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