Following a voice note inciting violence that was circulated on the West Rand on July 15, the African National Congress (ANC) has given its feedback.
In the voice note a man calls on the ANC Youth and the ANC Women’s Leagues to join in the looting.
Also read: LISTEN: Person arrested whose malicious voice note causes panic
In statement, ANC West Rand spokesperson, Zaza Machakela, said the ANC West Rand condemned an audio which calls for looting and destruction in the West Rand Region.
“The ANC in the West Rand Region is fundamentally opposed to looting and destruction of any kind; we are particularly opposed to destruction of social and economic infrastructure in our region and the rest of South Africa.”
Also read: Second person arrested for creating, circulating inflammatory messages
Machakela said they were pleased by the actions of law-enforcement agencies to bring the instigators responsible for the audio to book.
We frown upon the fraudulent attempt to mislead our communities into believing the ANC structures are involved in destruction for cheap political points by those opposed to our organisation’s ideals.”
He said they were calling on their communities to be vigilant and work closely with law-enforcement agencies to “… defeat these dark forces”.
On Monday, July 19, the 45-year-old Bruce Nimmerhoudt appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on charges of inciting to commit violence, after he was arrested on Friday, July 16.
Also read: Bail application for fake voice note set for July 26
He was denied bail and his case was postponed until Monday, July 26 after a request that the state be given an opportunity to conclude investigations and preparations for his bail hearing.
A second person from the West Rand, this time Westonaria, was arrested after allegedly also circulating voice notes inciting violence, amid the violent riots and looting of the past week.
