Bonginkosi Khanyile was arrested on Friday for encouraging MK Party members to engage in protest action, similar to the July 2021 unrest, should the party not be on the ballot paper for the 2024 general elections.
This follows “a threat of violence” made by Khanyile during a press briefing in March, in which he allegedly encouraged MK Party members to protest and commit acts of violence all over the country should the party not be on the ballot paper.
“If they remove MK and remove Zuma as the face of the campaign, there won’t be elections in South Africa,” he was reported as saying at the time.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said Khanyile was arrested on Friday because of the statements he made at the March press briefing.
“The essence of the announcement was to instigate the citizens of South Africa to protest and commit acts of violence all over the country should the political party of his choice not be on the ballot paper.
“The announcement also had connotations that the citizens of the country must gather together and loot the country as previously done in July 2021,” he said.
Mogale said Khanyile was arrested on Friday at the Durban Magistrates Court while appearing for the July 2021 case.
He is charged with violating the Riotous Assemblies Act and conspiracy to commit public violence – similar to the July 2021 riots that left more than 300 people dead and parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal mainly in economic ruin. Khanyile was released on bail and will return to court on 23 September 2024.
Compiled by Staff Writer
Pictured Above: Former MK Party Youth Coordinator Bonginkosi Khanyile.
Source: X
