Latest news with #RiotousAssembliesAct
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's trial date for July 2021 unrest matter set
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla having a word with her attorney, Advocate Dali Mpofu SC before the start of the pre-trial hearing on Thursday. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Media Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) member of Parliament, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is no longer intending to petition the National Director of Public Prosecution (NDPP), Advocate Shamila Batohi, to withdraw charges against her but said she is ready for trial. This was revealed by her attorney Advocate Dali Mpofu SC at the pre-trial hearing held in the Durban High Court yesterday. Both the State and the defence said they were ready for the trial and the court dates were set down for November 10 to 21. Sambudla-Zuma was arrested and charged in January. The state alleged that she was instrumental in fomenting deadly violence that left many people dead and paralysed the economy, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal in July 2021. She faced three counts emanating from her social media posts during the civil unrest. Count one is incitement to commit the offence of terrorism, with the state alleging that between June and July 2021, at various places within the country, the accused unlawfully and intentionally incited others to commit terrorism by engaging in terrorist activities. On count two, which was incitement to commit violence, the state alleged that the accused incited, instigated, commanded or procured other persons unlawfully, who assembled with common intent to forcibly disturb the public peace or tranquility or to invade the rights of other persons. On count three, the state also accused her of violating Section 17 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, 17 of 1956 which dealt with the illegal assembling of persons with the intention to cause a riot. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Wearing a black T-shirt with the words 'Modern Day Terrorism Charges', Zuma-Sambudla looked relaxed and smiled. Speaking after the postponement inside the court, Zuma-Sambudla said she still maintained that the charges against her were politically motivated, however, she was ready for trial. "I still maintain that this case is politically motivated. I am in high spirits and ready for the trial. My party comrades and I are in and out of court because the system wants to punish us for supporting ubaba (Jacob Zuma), said Sambudla-Zuma. At her last appearance in March, she indicated that she would fight for the dropping of the charges. During the pre-trial hearing, Mpofu read her admission that between June and July she had tweeted using her X account, which had more than 100,000 followers, during her father's arrest. However, she denied having incited anyone to cause violence. Her argument was that people who may have caused violence and looted did so out of their own anger over her father's arrest in July 2021, not because they were incited by her tweets.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Trial date set for Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla over July unrest
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla having a word with her attorney, Advocate Dali Mpofu SC before the start of the pre-trial hearing on Thursday. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Media Umkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) member of Parliament, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is no longer intending to petition the National Director of Public Prosecution (NDPP), Advocate Shamila Batohi, to withdraw charges against her but said she is ready for trial. This was revealed by her attorney Advocate Dali Mpofu SC after the pre-trial hearing at the Durban High Court on Thursday. Both the State and the defence said they were ready for the trial and the court date was set from 10 to 21 November. Sambudla-Zuma was arrested and charged in January. The state alleges that she was instrumental in fomenting deadly violence that left many people dead and paralysed the economy, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal in July 2021. She faces three counts emanating from her social media posts during the civil unrest. Count one is incitement to commit the offence of terrorism, with the state alleging that between 29 June and July 2021, in various places within the country, the accused unlawfully and intentionally incited others to commit terrorism by engaging in terrorist activities. On count two, which is an incitement to commit violence, the state alleges the accused incited, instigated, commanded or procured other persons unlawfully assembling with common intent to forcibly disturb the public peace or tranquility or to invade the rights of other persons. On count three, the state also accuses her of violating Section 17 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, 17 of 1956 which deals with the illegal assembling of persons with the intention to cause a riot. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Wearing a black T-shirt with the words 'Modern Day Terrorism Charges', Zuma-Sambudla looked relaxed and smiled. Speaking after the postponement inside the court, Zuma-Sambudla said she still maintained that the charges against her were politically motivated, however, she was ready for trial. "I still maintain that this case is politically motivated. I am in high spirit and ready for the trial. My party comrades and I are in and out of court because the system wants to punish us for supporting ubaba (Jacob Zuma), said Sambudla-Zuma. At her last appearance in March she had indicated that she would fight for the dropping of charges. During the pre-trial hearing, Mpofu read her admission that between June and July she had tweeted using her X account, which has more than 100,000 followers, during her father's arrest. However, she denies having incited anyone to cause violence. Her argument is that people who may have caused violence and looted did so out of their own anger over her father's arrest in July 2021, not because they were incited by her tweets.
IOL News
28-07-2025
- IOL News
Rage: Limpopo man charged with murder after driving over his ex-girlfriend and her baby
Police said the mother and her baby alighted from a taxi and her ex-boyfriend, driving his bakkie at high speed, drove over them, following a heated argument earlier. Image: File A 35-year-old Limpopo man will on Monday appear in court after he was arrested for killing a 13-months-old baby girl, and attempted murder on the baby's mother - his ex-girlfriend. Police said the 35-year-old man, who cannot be named until he appears in court, drove over his ex-girlfriend and her baby, killing the child. 'According to information, the female victim was with her child alongside the road, on Friday, at around 8 pm, waiting for a taxi to Segopye village, when the suspect, who is her ex-boyfriend, came and started to have a heated argument with her,' said Limpopo provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba. A taxi arrived, and the woman and her baby boarded the public transport. While on the way, the taxi driver apparently informed the mother that her ex-boyfriend's van was following the taxi. 'They alighted at Marothi (Makwalaneng) Cross, and her ex-boyfriend, driving the van at a high speed, drove over them, without stopping,' said Ledwaba. The attacked mother and child were taken to Mankweng Hospital with serious injuries. Later, the 13-month-old baby passed on, and the mother sustained injuries on her leg. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ A case of murder and attempted murder was registered with the police. Last year, the High Court in North West, sitting in the Klerksdorp Regional Court, sentenced 26-year-old hitman Monokwa Malewu to life imprisonment for murder and an additional seven years in jail for attempted murder. At the time, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the mastermind behind the murder, Maseiso Clementinah Kokama, 64, received a life sentence for murder and 15 years for conspiracy to commit a crime, in violation of the Riotous Assemblies Act. Moeketsi Petrus Lesuhlo, 47, a Lesotho citizen, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 15 years for conspiracy to commit crime under the same Act. 'The court ruled that all sentences would run concurrently with the life sentences imposed on each accused,' said Gunya. The charges stem from a 'tragic' incident that occurred in Kanana, a township in Klerksdorp. 'Evidence presented in court revealed that the 64-year-old Kokama was in a relationship with Dingaan Dlamini, which ended poorly, leading to their separation. Shortly after, Dlamini became romantically involved with Nonzame Hondwana, which Kokama did not take well,' Gunya narrated. 'Driven by jealousy and anger, she (Kokama) orchestrated a hit on Hondwana.' On April 1, 2022, while Hondwana was having dinner at home with Dlamini, there was a knock at the door. When Dlamini opened the door, the hitman Malewu indicated he was there to see Hondwana. He then shot her multiple times, killing her instantly. IOL News
The South African
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
From courtroom to clubhouse: Busy day for Jacob Zuma
Former President Jacob Zuma showed his support for Bonginkosi Khanyile at the Durban Regional Court on Friday, 11 July. Khanyile stands accused of inciting violence during the July 2021 unrest, which erupted after Zuma was sentenced for contempt of court for failing to appear before the State Capture Commission. In addition to this charge, Khanyile faces charges of contravention of the Riotous Assemblies Act, for which he was arrested last year. The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member is also alleged to have made a public statement during the 2024 national elections. He allegedly encouraged citizens to protest and potentially engage in violence if the political party of his choice was not included on the ballot. JULY UNREST CASE POSTPONED According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the state has already presented evidence from five witnesses. The case has now been postponed to two new sets of dates: 29 September to 3 October 2025, and again from 13 to 17 October 2025. This is to allow for the continuation of the state's case. Following his court appearance, Zuma is expected to attend the MK Party's Annual Youth Golf Development event. According to a statement released by the party, he is scheduled to tee off at the Royal Durban Golf Club. The golf day turned heads for its hefty price tag, reportedly costing R250 000 for the Durban fundraiser. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
IOL News
23-06-2025
- IOL News
Ex-cop held over alleged political 'hit' fails in another bail bid
Bulelani Yosana is currently awaiting trial alongside accused hitman James Easton for the contract murder of Bloekombos teacher and ANC activist Vuyo Dana. Yosana's latest bail appeal bid failed in the Western Cape High Court. Image: File MURDER accused Bulelani Yosana has failed to convince the Western Cape that the State's case against him has considerably weakened after a Section 204 witness recanted on their statement. Yosana is currently awaiting trial alongside accused hitman James Easton for the contract murder of Bloekombos teacher and ANC activist Vuyo Dana. A trial date is yet to be set for the matter. After a previous unsuccessful attempt, Yosana, a former police officer and ANC branch secretary, filed a new bail bid appeal with the High Court, citing the recanted statement, that a trial date remains unset, and that his bank account is about to be closed for non-compliance with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act. Dana was shot and killed at his home in February 2022 while on his way to work at Bloekombos Senior Secondary School, in Kraaifontein, in what has been alleged to be a politically-motivated killing. Yosana brought the second bail application on the basis that new facts have arisen since the initial bail court (Regional Court) refused to admit him on bail, pending the finalisation of his trial. Yosana and Easton face a variety of charges including a contravention of Section 18 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, conspiracy to murder, and murder. Through his attorney, Yosana submitted that following the bail application hearing, and the appeal, they discovered a statement in which the Section 204 witness recanted what he stated in his Section 204 affidavit. According to Yosana's lawyer, there are no eyewitness accounts that place Yosana on the scene, and he claims that due to the recanting statement, there was insufficient evidence. 'According to Mr Booth (Yosana's attorney), this recanting statement was never discovered by the State, and as such, it alters the overall picture of the State's case. 'In this (newly) discovered statement, the Section 204 witness is recanting what he initially told the police about the involvement of the applicant (Yosana) in the commission of the offences the applicant is arraigned on. Booth advanced the argument that the State case is based primarily on the evidence of the Section 204 witness. 'Booth's argument postulates that if the Section 204 witness has recanted his original police affidavit, wherein he originally implicated the applicant in the crimes, the necessary corollary is that the State's case has since been considerably weakened. According to the applicant, this discovery presents an insurmountable hurdle for the State,' the court record read. The State did not dispute that the Section 204 witness has since recanted his first key pre-trial statement. 'According to the State's heads of argument, the Section 204 witness filed a recanting statement after the residence of the witness was visited by the applicant and after the applicant's arrest. To this end, the State specifically contends that the recanting statement is a product of interference with a State witness,' the judgment further read.
