Mdumiseni Zuma , Photo Supplied
The Pietermaritzburg Regional Court has handed down a landmark sentence this week, with Mdumiseni Khetha Zuma being sentenced to an effective 12 years imprisonment for his role in instigating the July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal.
This conviction comes after Zuma was found guilty of contravening Sections 17 and 18 of the Riotous Assemblies Act by inciting people to gather and commit public violence.
Sentenced
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) revealed that Zuma’s incitement was carried out through a video specifically targeting the Brookside Mall, which was distributed on the WhatsApp platform. The consequences of his incitement were dire, resulting in the looting and subsequent burning down of the mall in Pietermaritzburg. The estimated damage caused by the violence amounted to a staggering R500 million, leaving a lasting impact on the mall’s surrounding communities and the thousands of individuals who relied on its services, including the collection of SASSA grants.
During the trial, Senior State Advocate Yuri Gangai presented compelling evidence, including video footage, audio clips, and the testimony of a mall guard. Additionally, two experts were brought in to translate the audio clips, further solidifying the case against Zuma. The testimony of the mall manager, who detailed the extensive damage and the widespread negative effects on the community, played a pivotal role in the court’s ruling.
In light of the severity of his actions, Zuma received a 10-year imprisonment for count one, with two years suspended for five years on the condition that he does not reoffend. He was also given a six-year prison sentence, with two years to run concurrently with count one, resulting in an effective 12 years of direct imprisonment.
This case marks a significant milestone in the aftermath of the 2021 unrest, as it represents the first conviction and subsequent sentencing of an individual responsible for inciting the violent events. The NPA hopes that this outcome will serve as a deterrent to others contemplating similar offenses. The successful collaboration between the DPCI KZN and the prosecution was also commended as being instrumental in bringing about this landmark conviction.