Looters left a trail of destruction at Pick n Pay in Pine Crest Centre in Pinetown after last weeks riots in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Photograph: Supplied
Man in court for sending voice note inciting public violence
A man has been arrested for allegedly recording and sending a voice note inciting public violence in Gauteng.
Looters left a trail of destruction at Pick n Pay in Pine Crest Centre in Pinetown after last weeks riots in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Photograph: Supplied
A 45-year-old man has appeared in court facing a charge of inciting people to commit public violence.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said that Bruce Aldrin Nimmerhoudt had appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrates Court charged with inciting people to commit public violence.
Nimmerhoudt was arrested on Friday, 16 July 2021 in Witpoortjie on the Westrand after a voice note was circulated on social media platforms.
Mjonondwane said a male voice could be heard in the voicenote inciting members of society in and around the areas of Krugersdorp, Randfontein and Roodepoort to commit public violence.
The case was postponed to 26 July 2021 after state advocate, Enock Makua asked the court to give the state an opportunity to conclude its investigations in preparation for the suspect’s bail hearing.
“The NPA continues to urge members of the public to refrain from creating and circulating messages that seek to instigate communities to act in a violent manner, instil fear and/or undermine the efforts of rebuilding for the good of our country,” Mjonondwane said.
Meanwhile, hundreds of people, some as old as 72, have appeared in courts in Gauteng to face charges related to the recent unrest and riots in the province.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said that 587 people had appeared in various courts across the West Rand on Monday to face charges related to the public violence, looting and the burning of infrastructure that began on Monday, 11 July in Soweto.
Mjonondwane said this brings the total number of suspects who are currently facing prosecution in relation to the riots to 682. Their ages range from 18 to 72.
“They are facing charges ranging from public violence, theft, malicious injury to property, the contravention of the Disaster Management Act, housebreaking with intent to commit an offence and robbery,” Mjonondwane said.
Most of the suspects were remanded in custody until the hearing of their bail applications that will be heard between 19 July 2021 to 21 August 2021.
