By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Hawks members from KwaZulu-Natal Crime Against The State arrested former MK Party youth leader Bonginkosi Khanyile (34) on Friday 16 August 2024, for contravention of the Riotous Assemblies Act and conspiracy to commit public violence.
During a press briefing which was held in Johannesburg in March this year, Khanyile threatened “to declare war” if the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) removes former president Jacob Zuma or the party from the ballot.
The essence of the announcement was to instigate the citizens of South Africa to protest and commit acts of violence all over the country should the political party of his choice not be on the ballot paper,” said Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale.
Mogale further said that the announcement by Khanyile also implied that South Africans must gather and repeat the looting that took place in July 2021.
Khanyile faces similar charges as an instigator of the deadly July 2021 riots that left more than 300 people dead and parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal mainly in economic ruin.
Khanyile is expected to return to the same court on September 23 for both cases after being released on bail.
A month after threatening to disrupt the elections, Khanyile posted a video on social media in which he said he was a changed man who had stopped making reckless statements inciting violence.
MK Party garnered 14% of the national vote in the 29 May election and has the most support in KwaZulu-Natal. But its path forward has been turbulent, with the party not having leaders with sufficient political muscle to steer the ship.
The party’s manifesto launch this year was held at the Orlando Stadium, which was filled to capacity. The party has since struggled to articulate what it stands for.