The Hawks have confirmed the arrest of former Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party youth convenor, Bonginkosi Khanyile, on Friday.
Members of the Hawks from the KwaZulu-Natal Crime Against the State Unit arrested the 34-year-old Khanyile for contravening the Riotous Assemblies Act and conspiracy to commit public violence.
During a press briefing in Johannesburg in March this year, Khanyile threatened “to declare war” if the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) removed former President Jacob Zuma or the MK party from the ballot.
According to Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale, Khanyile’s announcement violated the Riotous Assemblies Act as it reportedly incited citizens to commit acts of violence across South Africa should the political party of his choice not appear on the ballot.
The announcement by Khanyile also suggested that South Africans should repeat the looting that occurred in July 2021.
Khanyile faces similar charges related to his alleged role as an instigator during the deadly July 2021 riots, which resulted in over 300 deaths and substantial economic damage in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
For his March statements, a criminal case was reported against Khanyile at the Brixton police station, leading to his arrest at the Durban Magistrate Court while appearing for the 2021 matter.
Khanyile was released on bail and is scheduled to reappear in the same court on 23 September 2024 for both cases. Additionally, Khanyile has been fined R150,000 by the electoral commission in connection with the same incident.
 youth convenor Bonginkosi Khanyile was arrested by the Hawks' KwaZulu-Natal Crime Against the State Unit for){kind=link}