NGIZWE Mchunu’s wife Lindi Khuzwayo wept uncontrollably when she learned that her husband would spend the next seven days in the police cells.
This after Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe postponed the former Ukhozi FM presenter’s case to 28 July.
“Mr Mchunu, your matter is postponed to 28 July for your bail application. You are in custody, no bail and you are to be kept at Joburg Central,” said Mkhasibe.
These words resulted in an outburst from Lindi, who had to be whisked out of the Randburg Magistrates Court by a relative.
Mchunu, whose defence team said he was unemployed, allegedly fled Gauteng in a private jet last week when he learned he was sought by police.
ALSO READ: LOOTERS TO NGIZWE: 'SEND A PLEASE CALL ME TO DUDUZANE'
This gave the state reason to consider him a flight risk and the state said it planned to use this in opposing his bail.
NPA spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said the utterances Mchunu made during his press conference in Bryanston amounted to incitement to commit public violence. Mhaga said they would not give any details on who the private jet belonged to as it formed part of ongoing investigations.
“Mchunu handed himself over as pressure mounted for him to be arrested. According to law enforcement, there are about six alleged instigators who were arrested, including Mchunu,” he said.
Former student leader Bonginkosi Khanyile, who is also the Mchunu family spokesman, said: “If this court continues to deal with this matter, we are very worried about whether justice will be served.”
Khanyile also accused the government of using Mchunu as a scapegoat.
“It is very wrong of government to blame a few individuals when people loot malls. Anyone who lives in South Africa will tell you that people looted malls because the government is presiding over hungry people.”
