-
uMkhonto we Sizwe MP Visvin Reddy.
uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) member of Parliament (MP) Visvin Reddy has been ordered to pay a R30 00 fine or face 10 months imprisonment.
He appeared briefly before the Durban Regional Court after pleading guilty to a charge of incitement to commit public violence.
The matter relates to an incident which happened in the run-up to the 2024 national and provincial elections.
Reddy is seen in a video that went viral on social media addressing a political gathering in Shallcross in Durban.
According to the state, he told the crowd that there would be ‘civil war’ and anarchy’ in the country if the MKP did not appear on the ballot paper.
He further said that there would be ‘no elections and no one in the country would vote’.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, says the ruling is a reminder that there are consequences for inciting words that could promote violence.
“In his guilty plea, Reddy acknowledged that his actions were unlawful and intentional, and that his words could reasonably have the consequence of members of the public engaging in violent conduct. He accepted that as a public representative and political leader, he bears a heightened responsibility to ensure that his speech does not encourage unlawful conduct. The National Prosecuting Authority hopes this sentence serves as a deterrent. The offence of incitement to commit public violence, whether in person or on any platform, is a serious criminal offence. Members of society, particularly those who hold public positions, are reminded that there are consequences for inciting words spoken, and that the NPA will not hesitate to hold them accountable.”
