Cape Town – Former MK Youth League National Coordinator Bonginkosi Khanyile has been arrested by the Hawks for violating the Riotous Assemblies Act and conspiracy to commit public violence.
His arrest followed remarks he made before May’s elections, threatening unrest if former president Jacob Zuma or the MK party were barred from running.
“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 confirmed that Khanyile was arrested on Friday due to his statements made in March.
#sapsHAWKS KwaZulu-Natal: #Hawks members from KwaZulu-Natal Crime Against The State arrested Bonginkosi Khanyile (34) for contravention of riotous assemblies Act and conspiracy to commit public violence which happened in Johannesburg in March this year. ME… pic.twitter.com/xfyVPSpQHl
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 17, 2024
“It is alleged that Khanyile made a public announcement which was in contravention of the riotous assemblies Act. 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. A criminal case was reported at Brixton police station and Khanyile was arrested at Durban Magistrate Court whilst he was appearing for the July 2021 matter,” Mogale said.
Khanyile was released on bail and will return to court on 23 September 2024.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
