A well-known Nesengani community leader, Mr Alex Ndou, has been arrested for allegedly inciting the community to violence. Ndou (49) is the fourth leader to be arrested in the area in a period of two weeks.
Last week, three SANCO executive members – Ambani Matumba, Mpho "Bricks" Rakgogo, and Bishop Tshishonga – were arrested and charged with the murder of a local man, Mr Gumani Lordwick Mironga (25), whose body was found under a bed at his home.
The arrest and subsequent appearance of Ndou in the Vuwani Magistrate's Court stem from an incident alleged to have taken place at Tshino last week.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba, on 10 July at approximately 20:30, in Tshino Nesengani village, the leader unlawfully drove through the village using a loudhailer to threaten and intimidate residents. He allegedly demanded that all businesses cease operations and threatened violence against those who did not comply.
"Furthermore, on 4 and 7 July, the suspect attempted to manipulate the judicial process by trying to influence the release of three suspects currently facing serious charges of murder. He verbally attacked the prosecution and judiciary and engaged in illegal activities, such as obstructing court access with stones, in a blatant effort to pressure authorities. As a result of these actions, the suspect has been arrested," he said.
Ndou appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate's Court on Friday, 11 July, facing charges of incitement to public disorder. He was granted bail of R3,000, with strict conditions.
Among the conditions are that he may not interfere with witnesses, may not miss court appearances, may not post or respond to inciting material on social media, and may not hold meetings aimed at inciting violence.
His case was postponed to 29 September for further investigation.
Community members who spoke on condition of anonymity likened the arrest to silencing the community and denying them their freedom of speech. "This is a sad day for our community. All people are now in fear, and we do not know who is next. The conditions attached to their bail are just the same as if they were not granted bail. They have been rendered ineffective," the source said.
Meanwhile, the first three SANCO members to be arrested also appeared in the Vuwani Magistrate's Court on Friday, 11 July, for a bail application. They were each granted R5,000 bail, subject to the same conditions as those imposed on Ndou. Their case was also postponed to 29 September for further investigation.