Politician ‘inciting mobs’ remains behind bars

BRUCE Aldrin Nimmerhoudt, a senior Patriotic Alliance (PA) member in Joburg, who allegedly incited mobs to attack malls on the West Rand, was yesterday ordered to apply for bail after seven days by the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court.

Niemmerhoudt, 45, of Toekomsrus in Randfontein, was not asked to plead on the charge of incitement to violence following his arrest at his home in Witpoortjie, west of Joburg, on July 16.

He was remanded in custody until July 26 to allow him to formally apply for bail. His arrest came after he allegedly produced a call via an audio video clip to supporters and members of the ANC Youth League and Women’s League on Thursday last week.

He allegedly urged the two ANC structures to join him and his supporters in an attack on malls in Roodepoort, Krugersdorp, Randfontein and businesses in the neighbouring suburbs.

Nimmerhoudt allegedly also urged his supporters to block all main roads in Main Reef and attack trucks delivering goods to West Rand towns.

The audio video led to some residents in the suburbs west of Joburg and on the West Rand making frantic calls to their residential security companies and neighbourhood watches to join in the search for the suspect.

Urging his supporters to be vigilant, the alleged instigator said: “Communities of the West Rand are much stronger but we are much more. Do not attack schools, do not attack healthcare facilities but malls.

“You can do whatever you want. Do not attack any person except for those who stand in your way,” Nimmerhoudt allegedly said.

In a bid to protect its residents, Farhaad Sardiwala, deputy chairperson of the Florida Community Policing Forum, sent the audio video to the police and their crime intelligence.

Nimmerhoudt’s arrest came after police got hold of the voice clip and tasked all sources and contacts to establish its origin. Police also recovered three cellphones in his possession which form part of their investigation.

According to the police, he allegedly confessed his involvement in the production of the video.

Nimmerhoudt had been detained in the Randfontein police station holding cells prior to his appearance in court yesterday.