Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma lays charges over rape and murder threats as ANC calls for probe

Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, who leads the March and March movement, opened a case at Durban Central Police Station on Tuesday against Sello Lemonka Gemba over remarks on social media that allegedly called for her rape and killing.

As IOL reported on 7 October, the ANC has condemned the alleged remarks and called for an investigation. The party’s national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu, said the comments had been attributed to Gemba, who is purported to be an ANC supporter and who had subsequently indicated that he stood by the remarks.

Bhengu said that if the remarks were accurately attributed to Gemba, they were “vile, reprehensible and wholly incompatible” with the values, traditions and political culture of the ANC.

“There can never be political, personal or ideological justification for incitement to rape, murder or any form of violence against another person,” she said.

The ANC rejected any attempt to associate the conduct with the movement or to use purported support for the party as a shield for violent, misogynistic or criminal rhetoric. Bhengu said whatever disagreements, disputes or differences might exist between Gemba and Ngobese-Zuma could not justify or excuse language allegedly calling for her rape or killing.

“No disagreement gives anyone licence to threaten the life, bodily integrity or dignity of another person,” she said.

The party said the alleged conduct was particularly reprehensible in a society confronting the persistent scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, and called on law-enforcement authorities to investigate the allegations without fear, favour or prejudice. Where the evidence establishes criminal conduct, the ANC said, authorities should act decisively in accordance with the law.

“Social media is not a lawless space, and freedom of expression cannot be distorted into a licence to threaten, intimidate or incite violence,” Bhengu said.

On the question of party membership, the ANC said that if it is established that Gemba is a member, its internal processes must also take their course. The party distanced itself from the alleged remarks and called on members and supporters to uphold human dignity, non-sexism, non-violence and respect for the rule of law.

For South African readers, the case sits at the intersection of two features of public life that recur here: the volume of gender-based violence and femicide, and the way political affiliation is invoked in disputes that end up before the police. The ANC’s statement draws a line on both, saying the party cannot be used as cover for threats and that the law must run its course.

The South African Police Service has not yet confirmed the status of the case. Under South African law, incitement to commit a sexual offence or murder, and the making of threats, can attract criminal liability. The ANC’s call for an investigation does not predetermine the outcome, and no finding has been made against Gemba.

Source: IOL, ANC condemns alleged rape, murder threats against Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma