Seven of the 12 alleged instigators of the violent unrest that swept through KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng last week are still at large as the government pleads for patience after a fifth arrest was made on Monday.
Former Ukhozi FM DJ Ngizwe Mchunu, who publicly addressed hostel dwellers at KwaMai Mai in Johannesburg last week calling for former president Jacob Zuma’s release from prison and defended violent riots, is the most high-profile arrest after handing himself to the police in Durban.
Mchunu is expected to appear in court in Johannesburg soon after he was transported from Durban to Gauteng to face charges related to the violence that has claimed more than 200 lives and left destruction in its wake.
Acting minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Monday said the four other people arrested had been remanded, but refused to disclose details.
“We are pleading for patience because of the nature and sensitivity of the allegations levelled against them for incitement to commit public violence. There are things that legally must be tight to make sure that all matters are done,” she said.
“If we compromise that situation people who are guilty will be let off because we have bungled the process of making sure that they are brought to justice.”
Police minister Bheki Cele, speaking in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, indicated that Mchunu had been openly linking himself to the instigation of violence before he was arrested. “He has been telling the world that he is scared that he is going to get arrested. If you tell people that you might be arrested ... you must be doing something wrong,” Cele said.
“There are other names that have been given to security. Unfortunately, we will not be able to name those people until they are arrested and appear in court.”
In the Roodepoort magistrate’s court, a little-known leader of the Patriotic Alliance in the West Rand, Bruce Niemerhoudt, appeared charged with incitement to commit public violence through a voice note that was circulated on the instant messaging application WhatsApp.
Cele’s spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said two other unnamed suspects appeared in the Westonaria magistrate's court on Monday on the same charges as Niemerhoudt. She could not provide further details.
She said a 21-year-old woman from Duduza in the East Rand is expected to appear in the Springs magistrate's court on Tuesday on similar charges.
Themba said the police were also investigating voice notes and messages that circulated on ANC WhatsApp groups in KwaZulu-Natal, where it is alleged party members used the platform to incite violence.
In Niemerhoudt's case, prosecutor Enock Makau told the court that the state was opposing bail because more charges could be added. “Investigations are at an advanced stage and police want to verify whether he is linked to other cases of incitement to commit public violence,” said Makau.
“Police confiscated some gadgets from him and they want to confiscate more devices that could link him to the dissemination of the voice note.”
Niemerhoudt allegedly urged communities on the West Rand to block off the N14, R28 and Main Reef Road on Friday.
A police source close to the investigations told Sowetan that the state intended to make an example of Niemerhoudt for allegedly inciting violence.
“There is a strong case against him. We were able to trace the origin of the voice note to his number after conducting an investigation,” said the police source.
“An example will be made out of him for what he [allegedly] did by saying all those things and asking people to block roads and destroy malls. He went as far as to say people must harm or even kill people who stand in their way when they block roads and vandalise malls.”
Niemerhoudt’s matter was postponed for further investigation until July 26, when his bail application is expected to be heard.
The Patriotic Alliance’s deputy president, Kenny Kunene, said Niemerhoudt’s arrest was politically motivated.
Kunene said his party urged its members who are leaders in their respective communities to protect the infrastructure. “This man is a man of integrity. He would have never made such a voice note,” said Kunene.
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