The Congress of the People (Cope) will on Wednesday lay a criminal charge against African National Youth League (ANCYL) president Collen Maine.
This comes two days after Cope spokesperson Dennis Bloem said the party was consulting “its legal team to formulate a possible charge of incitement”.
“We are seriously alarmed at the war talk emanating from the ANC‚” said Bloem said on Monday.
“On Sunday evening‚ Collen Maine was on television threatening civil war if the EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) continued with its action against President (Jacob) Zuma.
“Such bellicose war talk from a political leader is inflammatory and extremely dangerous.”
On Wednesday‚ Bloem issued a terse statement: “Please note that Cope will be laying a charge of incitement of violence against ANCYL president Collen Maine at Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria this afternoon”.
Maine had also been quoted as saying: “Those who seek to disrupt the State of the Nation (Address) must prepare themselves for a civil war. We want to assure the country that the youth league will attend the State of the Nation address to defend the nation and the revolution. We wish to inform the speaker of the Parliament not to organise security on that day. The youth league will physically remove woodworkers from Parliament.”
“Woodworkers” is a derogratory reference to the G symbol EFF leader Julius Malema attained for woodwok in matric.
The Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (Daso) also signalled on Monday that it was considering criminal charges against Maine for his threats.
The DA said it “condemns the disturbing comments” made by Maine on Sunday and would refer this matter to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) “for its consideration for remarks that we contend rise to the level of inciting violence”.
“Maine‚ in his reckless statements‚ threatened civil war against those who undermine ANC leadership‚ particularly Zuma in the build-up to the State of the Nation Address (Sona) this week‚” said Daso’s interim leader Yusuf Cassim.
“Specifically‚ Maine said: ‘The ANC Youth League will attend the Sona to defend the nation. We are ready for them. There will be blood.’ The thousands of youth present were urged to take action and to ‘defend the nation’ during the upcoming Sona‚” said Cassim.
“The minister of police‚ Nathi Nhleko‚ was even requested not to have security as the youth members would take over this role.”
Cassim urged SAHRC chairperson advocate Lawrence Mushwana to make “an example of Maine” to demonstrate “that this sort of conduct will not be tolerated in a democratic South Africa”.
“Additionally‚ the DA will be considering laying criminal charges against Maine if he is found to have broken the law by making such egregious remarks.”
Cope to lay incitement charge against ANCYL’s Maine
This comes two days after Cope spokesperson Dennis Bloem said the party was consulting “its legal team to formulate a possible charge of incitement”.
“We are seriously alarmed at the war talk emanating from the ANC‚” said Bloem said on Monday.
“On Sunday evening‚ Collen Maine was on television threatening civil war if the EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) continued with its action against President (Jacob) Zuma.
“Such bellicose war talk from a political leader is inflammatory and extremely dangerous.”
On Wednesday‚ Bloem issued a terse statement: “Please note that Cope will be laying a charge of incitement of violence against ANCYL president Collen Maine at Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria this afternoon”.
Maine had also been quoted as saying: “Those who seek to disrupt the State of the Nation (Address) must prepare themselves for a civil war. We want to assure the country that the youth league will attend the State of the Nation address to defend the nation and the revolution. We wish to inform the speaker of the Parliament not to organise security on that day. The youth league will physically remove woodworkers from Parliament.”
“Woodworkers” is a derogratory reference to the G symbol EFF leader Julius Malema attained for woodwok in matric.
The Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (Daso) also signalled on Monday that it was considering criminal charges against Maine for his threats.
The DA said it “condemns the disturbing comments” made by Maine on Sunday and would refer this matter to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) “for its consideration for remarks that we contend rise to the level of inciting violence”.
“Maine‚ in his reckless statements‚ threatened civil war against those who undermine ANC leadership‚ particularly Zuma in the build-up to the State of the Nation Address (Sona) this week‚” said Daso’s interim leader Yusuf Cassim.
“Specifically‚ Maine said: ‘The ANC Youth League will attend the Sona to defend the nation. We are ready for them. There will be blood.’ The thousands of youth present were urged to take action and to ‘defend the nation’ during the upcoming Sona‚” said Cassim.
“The minister of police‚ Nathi Nhleko‚ was even requested not to have security as the youth members would take over this role.”
Cassim urged SAHRC chairperson advocate Lawrence Mushwana to make “an example of Maine” to demonstrate “that this sort of conduct will not be tolerated in a democratic South Africa”.
“Additionally‚ the DA will be considering laying criminal charges against Maine if he is found to have broken the law by making such egregious remarks.”
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