POLICE WARN RESIDENTS AGAINST POSTING OR SHARING MESSAGES THAT INCITE VIOLENCE
Police in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) have issued a stern warning to residents to refrain from posting, distributing and or sharing voice messages or social media posts, commenting on social media posts, or making statements on any public platform which promote violence or destruction of property.
The province of KZN has been experiencing a wave of marches, and although the marches have largely been peaceful, police have noted with disdain social media posts and public statements made by certain individuals which has the potential of inciting violence and lawlessness during planned marches.
According to KZN SAPS Spokeperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the members of the public are reminded to take note of Section 14 of the Cybercrimes Act, Act No. 19 of 2020, which says that any person who discloses, by means of an electronic communications service, a data message to a person, group of persons or the general public with the intention to incite the causing of any damage to property belonging to; or violence against a person or a group of persons, is guilty of an offence.
“Police in KwaZulu-Natal have successfully used this section of the Act to charge Philani Ronnie Gumede, who was a member of Operation Dudula in March 2022. After distributing inflammatory voice note promoting the chasing away of foreign nationals out of Durban, entering into their shops, salons and their workplaces, the court found him guilty and was sentenced to a fine of R10 000 or three years’ direct imprisonment.
“The right to march is protected in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, however such a right comes with the responsibility to be exercised within the confines of the law, and in consideration of the rights of others. Police are monitoring the public space and cybercrimes officers will be profiling posts and statements that are deemed to be inciting violence,” he said.
He said the police have already made pronouncements that the planners of the 30 June 2026 march have promised peaceful demonstrations.
“Police will however, deploy accordingly pre, during and post 30 June 2026 to ensure