Second alleged unrest instigator walks free

Former Ukhozi FM presenter Ngizwe Mchunu, an alleged instigator of the July 2021 unrest, is relieved he has been acquitted in a trial that had dragged on for two years. Mchunu said his acquittal was proof that the law was above everything, notes a Sunday Tribune report. Magistrate RG Sadiki cleared Mchunu of all charges, declaring him a free man, reports The Citizen. ‘It is my determination that the accused’s version is reasonably and possibly true, and the state did not discharge its onus of proving the case against the case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt. The benefit of the doubt will also be awarded to the accused.’ Mchunu faced charges related to the public violence that led to the destruction of properties during the July unrest of 2021, as well as contravening the Covid-19 regulations and Disaster Management Act. According to the Sunday Tribune report, Mchunu thanked former President Jacob Zuma, who attended the hearing to support him, as well as politicians, traditional leaders and businessmen who had stood by him. He singled out ANC KZN chairperson Siboniso Duma and provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo for their support and thanked businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize for hiring a private jet for him when he feared for his life and needed a hideout. ‘This case cost me more than R1.5m because to travel here cattle had to be sold. Even people who helped me had to empty their pockets for me and amabutho (Zulu warriors) to travel. It’s not easy to travel from Durban to come here (Johannesburg) and find accommodation for every day of this trial,’ he said.

Mchunu’s acquittal followed the state's failure to prosecute another alleged instigator of the unrest – the case against Germiston businesswoman Zamaswazi Zinhle Majozi was struck from the roll in March last year following several postponements by the state since her arrest in August 2021. Another alleged instigator, lawyer Ike Khumalo, is out on R3 000 bail. The Sunday Tribune report quotes Chad Thomas, an organised and financial crimes investigator from IRS Forensic Investigations, said although there was an element of political opportunism that triggered some of the unrest, criminal elements took full advantage of the chaos. ‘We cannot let this unrest go unchallenged and the failure to prosecute those responsible sets the wrong tone by the state,’ said Thomas.