MK party official in trouble

POLL ROW: REDDY FACES CHARGES

→ Senior KZN leader is alleged to have incited public violence.

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has confirmed it has taken action against Visvin Reddy, as the senior KwaZulu-Natal leader appeared in court yesterday.

Reddy faces charges of contravening Section 17 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, where he is alleged to have incited public violence.

His appearance follows a video clip circulated on social media, in which Reddy addressed a public gathering and allegedly made inciting comments.

Hours before his appearance, MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela told radio 702 that members who incite violence would be disciplined, threatening expulsion.

However, Reddy has only been served with a warning.

“Any member that utters or makes any pronouncements of violence will be dealt with drastically and we’ll expel them. Visvin Reddy, in the same way we’ve dealt with [MK youth leader] Bonginkosi [Khanyile], has also received a warning.”

The electoral code forbids threats against the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and states that political parties and candidates must speak out against threats of violence.

Reddy, a long-time Jacob Zuma supporter, responded to the ANC taking the MK party to court over its registration by warning that a civil war may break out if his party was not allowed to campaign and be on the ballot paper.

“Hear me very carefully, this country will be turned into a civil war the day MK is not allowed to campaign and to be on the ballot paper. No-one in this country will vote.

“We are sending a loud and clear message that if these courts, which are sometimes captured, if they stop MK, there will be anarchy in this country,” Reddy said.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said Reddy appeared in court on a summons, and the matter was transferred to the Durban Regional Court for the next appearance on 14 June.

Speaking outside the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court, Reddy said 29 May, and not 27 April, will be the real Freedom Day when he claimed the party would take a two-thirds majority in the national and provincial elections.

A local MK party leader claimed Reddy’s arrest was a tactic to prevent the party from contesting elections.

“We are here in support of comrade Visvin Reddy who has been falsely accused in the statement that was made regarding inciting violence. We are here to say this is just a tactic to ensure the movement of change is stopped.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to Reddy’s threat of violence with a warning that any political party threatening violence ahead of or on the day of the general election on 29 May will face arrest.