A man accused of instigating violence on social media briefly appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court today, Friday, May 9.
The case against Xolani Gregory Khoza (37) was postponed to June 20 as his docket needs to be sent to the senior public prosecutor for a decision on whether he can be tried or not.
Khoza was arrested shortly after the National Elections last year when he posted on social media calling for the country to be shut down and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to be removed from his position. He also allegedly challenged the Government of National Unity, saying it was not going to improve the quality of South Africans’ lives.
Khoza is facing charges of incitement to commit terrorism, public violence and intimidation and is out on R2 000 bail, that was extended during his court appearance today.
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The provincial Hawks’ spokesperson, Colonel Dineo Sekgotodi, told Lowvelder that Khoza was charged with the contravention of Section 17 of the Riotous Assemblies Act 17 of 1965, Inciting Public Violence.
An investigation was initiated and the suspect was identified and arrested for further contravening Section 14 of the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020, which says that any person who discloses, by means of an electronic communication, a data message to a person or group of persons or the public in general with the intention to incite violence shall be guilty as charged,” Sekgotodi said at the time.
Khoza gained support from various organisations, some of them international, following his arrest. Spartacist South Africa, Marxist Feminist Youth of Azania, the EFF, International Bolshevik Tendency and others are some of the organisations forming part of what has been called “United Front Protests to defend Xolani Khoza”.
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Members of the above organisations staged a protest in support of Khoza outside the court today.
“When I look around, especially where I come from in the Nsikazi Region, there is no development. We still do not have water, health services, usable roads or consistent electricity. These are some of the challenges our communities are facing. I do not want to talk much because my matter is still in court,” said Khoza.
