Charging politicians who incite violence a precaution

THE country’s justice system has shown consistency in harshly dealing with politicians who make statements that incite violence since the 2021 July unrest, which saw businesses being looted and destroyed, and many people losing their lives.

The National Prosecuting Authority recently summoned uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s (MKP) senior member in KwaZulu-Natal and eThekwini, councillor Visvin Reddy.

He has been charged with inciting violence under Act 17 of 1956 after the threatening comments he made outside the Durban High Court recently, where the MKP was taken to court over the use of the name uMkhonto weSizwe and its spear and shield logo.

There are allegations that Reddy evaded arrest for days before he handed himself over to the Hawks last week.

In a 50-second video clip that went viral, Reddy said the ANC was doing its best to stop the MKP from contesting the elections and warned of anarchy and riots.

“They are trying all tricks, they are going to courts, they want to stop the MK from registering. Please, ANC, listen, MK is uMkhonto weSizwe, you are talking about the Military Veterans’ Association which the ANC disbanded years ago, it’s not the same.

“You don’t have the trademark on this MK logo so what gives you the right to claim that MK belongs to you? You have no chance in court but we are sending a loud and clear message that if these courts, which are sometimes captured, try to stop the MK there will be anarchy in this country. There will be riots that have never been seen in this country.

“No South African will go to the polls if MK is not on the ballot,” Reddy said in the clip.

Another political activist, Jackie Shandu, appeared in court recently on charges of hate speech and incitement of violence – for his “one Indian, one bullet” chant during the “Justice for Phoenix Massacre Victims” campaign – soon after the July 2021 riots.

Reddy was one of the complainants who had initially charged Shandu. Reddy has indicated that he would drop the charges against Shandu, who has publicly apologised for his comments.

However, the second complainant, Ashwin Trikamjee, a lawyer, intends not to drop the charges against Shandu.

With July unrest instigators being sentenced and some still attending court cases, it is clear that South Africa’s justice system is taking all precautions to ensure anarchy is nipped in the bud.