Staff Reporter.
uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) senior provincial leader Visvin Reddy (53) briefly appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, charged with inciting public violence.
Reddy, who is ninth on MK’s national candidate list, had been summonsed after a video emerged in which he threatened violence if the party or its interim leader, former President Jacob Zuma, were removed from the ballot due to Zuma’s conviction and effective 15-month imprisonment for contempt of court.
Two weeks ago Reddy made the inflammatory remarks during an MK rally in KwaZulu-Natal.
Reddy arrived in court flanked by his legal team, family members and some MK leaders, appearing briefly before magistrate Yuri Gangai.
Prosecutor Naresh Bhika said Reddy faces one count of inciting public violence. He was released on a warning and ordered to appear in the Durban Regional Court on 14 June 2024 for a pre-trial hearing.
His appearance came as the MK party appealed the decision of the Independent Electoral Commission to uphold the objections to Zuma appearing on parliamentary lists.
NPA’s KZN spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, told journalists that the prosecuting agency had decided to charge Reddy after watching the video clip, and that the NPA was confident it would successfully prosecute the case.
“Visvin Gopal Reddy (53) appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrates’ Court today on a charge of contravening Section 17 of the Riotous Assemblies Act, where he is alleged to have incited public violence,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
“His appearance follows a video clip which was circulated on social media, in which Reddy addresses a public gathering and makes the alleged inciting comments. Reddy appeared in court on summons, and the matter was transferred to the Durban Regional Court for the next appearance on 14 June 2024.”
The controversial Reddy has switched political parties many times over the past few years. He kicked off his colourful political career as a councillor with the late Amichand Rajbansi’s Minority Front.
He then moved to the DA and made a number of inflammatory statements.
Next he donned the colours of the ANC as a councillor. After a fallout with the ruling party he formed the African Democratic Change party in the run-up to the 2021 local government elections.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.