Fired Mpumalanga MEC Mandla Msibi's supporters on Wednesday ignored the ANC's call to desist from mobilising against the judiciary.
The ANC provincial leadership made the call on Tuesday after hundreds of people protested outside the Mbombela magistrate's court where Msibi is applying for bail in a double murder case.
Msibi, 45, Anele Mnisi, 26, and Njabulo Mkhonto, 28, are charged with the murders of Dingaan Ngwenya and Lindela Lubisi and the attempted murder of Sifiso Mpila, who were shot outside Coyotes Chisa Nyama in Mbombela on August 22.
But on Wednesday, thousands gathered outside the court where the trio appeared briefly after midday due to a bomb scare.
“The ANC condemns all forms of violence and appeals to all members of the ANC to desist from the act of resolving problems through violent means in all sections of their lives.
“We further call on all our members to respect the judicial process under way and discourage them from mobilising members against the judiciary and other state institutions,” the party's provincial acting secretary Lindiwe Ntshalintshali said.
She also called members “not to be distracted by this unfortunate incident but intensify their campaigns towards the upcoming local government elections”.
Msibi, who was the party's elections manager in the province, had been replaced with Jabu Mahlangu.
There was a lot of drama at the court after magistrate Suzan Monaledi adjourned proceedings, saying she had just received a message that there was a bomb in the building.
“Listen everyone, can we please all leave the building? I have just received a message that there is a bomb in the building. Therefore let’s all leave and we will be told to come back when things are right,” said Monaledi before police and security personnel evacuated everyone from the building.
The court was due to hear evidence from investigating officer W/O Boy Bhila.
The bomb scare infuriated thousands of Msibi’s supporters who sang outside, calling for his release.
“They are lying. Whoever sent the message doesn't want Msibi to be out [on bail]," said one of Msibi's supporters, Lindo Mashego. “We always said that they want him behind bars because he’s a good man. The state is being used to punish him.”
Mpumalanga police said they were investigating the incident.
Msibi's supporters accused the state of delaying tactics after the police bomb squad and dog unit didn’t find anything.
“We have been informed that it was just a lie. Whoever is found to have made the call about the bomb will face the law because people’s lives have been threatened and cases had to be postponed, leading to people losing monies [paid for legal representation],” said provincial police spokesperson Col Donald Mdhluli.
Msibi's lawyer Adv Coert Jordaan addressed his supporters.
“I come to convey a message from Mr Msibi. He said I must tell you that please remain disciplined and not break anything or [resort to] violence. He says as the case is postponed to on Friday, he wants to have a fair chance of applying for bail where nothing bad will be aligned with you,” said Jordaan.
Another supporter, Uhuru Mofokeng, said they believed in the justice system. “We know that Msibi will be exonerated in this politically motivated charges aimed at dragging his good name in the mud. In all this, we shall remain disciplined,” said Mofokeng.
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