‘Sphithiphithi Evaluator’ ordered to hand over passport as court grants R3,000 bail

The woman behind the controversial Twitter account “Sphithiphithi Evaluator” has been granted bail by the Germiston Magistrate’s Court.

Bail

The 36-year-old, who has been identified as Zamaswazi Majozi, made her first appearance in court on Monday following her arrest over the weekend.

Majozi was granted bail of R3,000 with conditions that she surrender her passport and report to the nearest police station daily, according to Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) – also known as the Hawks – spokesperson Katlego Mogale.

Mogale said Majozi must also ensure that she informs the investigating officer if she intends to leave Gauteng.

ALSO READ: Alleged KZN unrest instigator appears briefly in court, case postponed

Majozi was arrested on Saturday for incitement to commit public violence via social media and other platforms in relation to the unrest that took place last month.

She was nabbed during a search and seizure operation in Leondale, Ekurhuleni.

The suspect, who’s Twitter handle is @_AfricanSoil, is followed by almost 60,000 people, and is known for tweeting controversial statements.

Her case has been postponed to 18 October 2021 for further investigation.

In camera

Meanwhile, another suspect who was arrested on Saturday by the Hawks for allegedly inciting public violence was granted bail on Monday.

The 35-year-old man made a brief appearance in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court.

The suspect, who’s understood to be a security guard at a local supermarket, faces two charges of contravening the Riotous Assembles Act.

READ MORE: Sitole evasive over arrests of 11 alleged riot instigators

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson for KZN, Natasha Kara, said the charges included inciting public violence and arson.

“The charges relate to the incidences of looting and public violence that occurred in KwaZulu-Natal in mid-July, in particular, the burning of the Brookside Mall,” Kara said in a statement.

The man’s appearance in court was held in camera due to an identity parade that was yet to be conducted.

His case was postponed to 6 September for a formal bail application.

Instigators

Both their arrests means that the number of suspects who are believed to be the instigators behind the rampant looting and violent unrest the country witnessed in July has risen from 16 to 18.

“Thus far, about 18 suspects have been arrested by Saps [South African Police Service] and DPCI. Some have already appeared in various courts in Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, with others having been granted bail and others remanded in custody,” Mogale said.

Government initially suggested that 12 instigators were behind the “well-orchestrated economic sabotage”.

Parts of the country plunged last month into chaos following the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma.

The violence took place in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng and left more than 300 people dead to date.

[LIVE NOW] Minister of Police Gen Bheki Cele is at this hour addressing debate at the #NCOP @ParliamentofRSA on the July unrest. He starts his speech by remembering the 359 people who died during the failed insurrection. Catch more on the @ParliamentofRSA channel on @DStv 408

— Lirandzu Themba (@LirandzuThemba) August 25, 2021

Additional reporting by Thapelo Lekabe