President Cyril Ramaphosa says anyone found to be inciting violence ahead of the general elections will be arrested.
The President issued a stern warning following alleged threats that riots are looming in the country.
South Africans will be heading to the polls on the 29th of May.
Umkhonto Wesizwe Party member in KwaZulu-Natal, Visin Reddy, told the media that there’ll be anarchy if the party is barred from contesting.
The MK Party led by former President Jacob Zuma is locked in a legal battle with the ANC over the use of its trademark and logo, Umkhonto Wesizwe.
The ANC believes that the party’s registration was unlawful.
Ramaphosa says the people of South Africa value hard-won stability and don’t want any form of instability.
“When you are dissatisfied with any decision, be it a government decision, the president’s decision and minister decision, even a court’s decision, there are ways in which all those complaints can be followed up,” adds the President.
“So for anyone to say that, if this does not happen they are going to have instability, it’s against the will of the people of South Africa and I can promise you that those people will be followed up and those people will be arrested.”
I must make it clear that anyone who is threatening any form of unrest will be arrested. pic.twitter.com/M7v1GISVt0
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) March 7, 2024
Police Minister, Bheki Cele, revealed that authorities have already identified persons of interest who have been perpetuating violence on social media.
More than 350 civilians died during the 2021 July riots, which erupted following the incarceration of former president, Jacob Zuma.
The country’s economy was brought to its knees when key businesses and malls were looted and some even torched.
The violence escalated and spread like fire across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
During this year’s State Of the Nation Address, the President said the government is working on measures to prevent such turmoil in future.
More than 40 alleged instigators were arrested for the civil unrest, most notably, Former Ukhozi FM DJ Ngizwe Mchunu, former Fees Must Fall activist and now MK Party member, Bonginkosi Khanyile.
[2021 JULY RIOTS IN PICTURES]
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