Ululation, jubilation and chants erupted in the corridors of the Randburg magistrate’s court after former Ukhozi FM presenter Ngizwe Mchunu was found not guilty on Friday.
Inside court, former statesman Jacob Zuma and axed former ANC spokesperson Carl Niehaus took their seats in a show of support to the former Sigiya Ngengoma co-host.
Before the court proceedings could get underway, Mchunu said he was positive that judgment would go in his favour.
Not guilty
After giving detailed findings about the three charges including inciting violence during the 2021 July unrest and contravention of Disaster Management Act during Covid-19 pandemic, the magistrate cleared Ngizwe Mchunu of all the charges.
Handing down the judgment, the magistrate said Mchunu’s choice of words was the issue, however, said the magistrate, had the matter been attended to by the leaders it would not have reached a boiling point.
“The term azikhale [let’s show them] could mean a lot of things, the state’s witness said it means Mchunu was instigating and inciting people to act violently, while Mchunu said he was calling for calm,” said the magistrate.
“When he called on people to go [and] support former president Jacob Zuma while he was in jail, he did not say they must go [and] fight, he said they must go and camp there [outside prison] until he was released.
“Therefore, this court has found Mchunu not guilty on all three charges.”
R1.5m spent on the case
Flanked by his supporters and amabutho (AmaZulu regiment) who ushered him out of the court building, Mchunu said the case cost him more than R1.5-million.
“I spent so much money on this case, however, I am happy that I am finally free, he said.
“This means it is the beginning for me. It is me against them, I will challenge the political stupidity that is in this country. I will lead the country, mark my words.”
He thanked his supporters and leaders of religion who rallied behind him.
Mchunu’s lawyer Vusi Khathi said his job is done.
“My job is done, as you can see my client is happy. That is all I needed to do. At last, justice has prevailed,” said Khathi.
More than 350 people lost their lives during the 2021 July unrest that unfolded mainly in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Many other people were injured and the economy suffered disastrous losses after shops were burned down and looted, leaving hundreds of employees in affected businesses losing their jobs.
