Trouble intensifies for ‘zuma hecklers’

The two men accused of disrupting President Jacob Zuma’s centenary lecture at the Good Hope Centre earlier this year are now facing a more serious charge.

Initially Sibusiso Nkomiyahlaba and Siviwe Gxothiwe were charged with public violence but prosecutor Vusi Tshabalala told the Cape Town magistrate’s court on Wednesday that the Director of Public Prosecutions had changed the charge to one of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Tshabalala added that the case was ready to be transferred to the Cape Town regional court – where the men would go on trial – but added that it could not be moved because Gxothiwe, 27, of Khayelitsha, was not at court on Wednesday.

Nkomiyahlaba, 25, of New Crossroads, told attorney Chantal Gillian, who appears for both men, that Gxothiwe was ill.

“Nkomiyahlaba could not tell me exactly what was wrong with Gxothiwe. I request that a warrant (of arrest) be held over for 14 days,” Gillian said.

Tshabalala had no objection, on condition that a medical certificate to verify his absence was provided.

It is alleged that the men, claiming to be supporters of the ANC Youth League’s embattled former president Julius Malema, tried to storm the stage while Zuma was addressing the crowd on February 23.

Zuma was well into his lecture when the group, waving a UDF banner, started heckling him. Soon afterwards, up to 300 people joined in, booing and singing “Jacob Zuma, uphi uJuju as’phelelanga (Jacob Zuma, not all of us are here, where’s Juju)”. This resulted in a violent clash with police.

The duo appeared in court soon after the incident and were released on R500 bail each.

Their next court appearance is on July 11.

jade.witten@inl.co.za

The Star