Mall attacks: politician held for inciting supporters

A SENIOR Joburg politician, who allegedly incited mobs to attack malls on Gauteng's West Rand, is due to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court today.

This as Police Minister Bheki Cele said police had identified three more suspects positively linked to the violent protests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

The identities of the three would only be revealed after law enforcement agencies had executed their arrests, Cele said during Mandela Day celebrations and a crime-prevention campaign in KwaZulu-Natal yesterday.

The politician, who will be identified after he appears in court and who is linked to one of the political parties represented in the City of Joburg, allegedly made the call to his supporters and ANC Youth League and ANC Women's League members on Thursday last week.

He allegedly urged the two ANC-affiliated wings to join him and his supporters and attack malls in Roodepoort, Krugersdorp and Randfontein, as well as businesses in neighbouring suburbs.

It is claimed he also urged his supporters to block all the main roads in Main Reef, and to attack trucks delivering goods to West Rand towns.

Urging his supporters to be vigilant, the alleged instigator is claimed to have said: “Communities of the West Rand are much stronger, but we are much more. Do not attack schools or health-care facilities, but malls you can do whatever you want. Do not attack any person except for those who stand in your way.”

On Friday the man was arrested in Witpoortjie, west of Joburg after police got hold of the voice clip and tasked all sources and contacts to establish its origins.

During his arrest, police recovered three cellphones in his possession. He was detained in the Randfontein police station holding cells and is expected to face a charge of inciting public violence.

Brigadier Masolle Manamela, station commander of Randfontein police station, thanked West Rand residents for the tip-off.

President Cyril Ramaphosa meanwhile tried to calm residents of Soweto where looting and unrest had swept through the township last week.

Ramaphosa, wearing ANC regalia, took a tour of three Soweto shopping malls. The worst damage was witnessed at Ndofaya. A stampede had taken place as people looted, leading to the deaths of 11 people.

The mall's manager suffered a broken arm during the looting, and was acknowledged by Ramaphosa for his bravery in attempting to stop it.