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Two men appeared in court in Mthatha on Friday for allegedly circulating voice notes and videos on social media inciting people not to vote.
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure, NATJOINTS, said it welcomed “the arrest of two alleged instigators who are believed to be behind the taxi-related strike which led to all major routes into Mthatha being blocked on Monday, 27 May.”
National spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said 53-year-old Mthuthuzeli Sogoni, a taxi association member in the OR Tambo District and co-accused, Ncebo Nkosi (47), were arrested on Thursday.
She said Sogoni allegedly circulated a voice note while Nkosi had recorded a video of himself “where he allegedly called for taxi operators and owners to disrupt elections and embark on a violent protest.”
The two appeared in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges of incitement to public violence, contravention of the Cyber Act and contravention of the Electoral Act.
They were each granted bail in the amount of R3000 bail, and the case was remanded to 22 July.
“The NATJOINTS has repeatedly warned social media users to refrain from posting and sharing inflammatory messages that could cause harm, mobilise communities to incite violence and engage in criminal acts,” Mathe said.
