Activist’s arrest for racial hatred remark blasted

THE# Justice for phoenix massacre victims coalition has slammed police over the arrest of convenor Jackie Shandu.

Shandu was arrested for his “One Indian, one bullet” comment he made during a march, which ended at the Durban City Hall, last Thursday.

Charges were brought against Shandu by the leader of African Democratic Change Visvin Reddy.

According to the coalition spokesperson Phezukonke Mthethwa, police are expected to add a charge of contravention of the Cybercrimes Act, in addition to charges of contravention of the Rioters Assemblies Act, and incitement of public violence and racial hatred. He said Shandu met with police yesterday.

"The# Justice for phoenix massacre victims notes the abuse of the criminal justice system, given the fact Jackie Shandu was incarcerated without a warrant of arrest on level 1 charges, an attempt to silence those who are critics of skewed racial power relations. It is clear that there was political pressure to arrest Shandu, hence the intent to add charges retrospectively,” Mthethwa said.

The government has shown no intention to resolve the ideological crisis brought up by the “Phoenix Massacre”, which now affects Africans in particular, and society in general, he said. “The brutal killings of Africans by Indians can no longer be ignored.”

Mthethwa called for Shandu’s release. Reddy welcomed Shandu’s arrest. “Anyone spewing such hatred must face the full might of the law. We also want those behind the looting, mass destruction, and murders, behind bars,” he said, adding that ADEC has also prepared an application to the Equality Court. |