Minutes after being released on R600 bail yesterday, an emotional #Outsourcingmustfall activist, Vusi Enoch Mahlangu, challenged his alleged captors to “bring it on”.
Overwhelmed by the support shown by Walter Sisulu University (WSU) workers, who clubbed together to stump up his bail money, Mahlangu cried as Xhobani Security Services and Red Alert Cleaning employees sang struggle and pro-Mahlangu songs in front of the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court.
As he walked out of court, the workers ran towards him, hugging and lifting him high.
After gathering his strength, Mahlangu addressed the workers at the Mthatha Freedom Square, saying he was happy they were still fighting against outsourcing at WSU.
Mahlangu told the workers he was inspired by them.
“No hero or messiah is going to win this struggle. You are the ones that are going to win . They thought I’m a hero, they thought I’m a messiah. They came and they took me out – but you continued.
“To those who are responsible for what I went through, my message is simple – bring it on! I will not stop with this struggle ...” he said.
Mahlangu made headlines earlier this month when he sent a text message to his comrades asking them to open a kidnapping case.
He was due to address WSU workers but was later arrested by the Hawks and charged with perjury and defeating the ends of justice.
Mahlangu said spending almost two weeks at Wellington Prison, in co nditions he described as poor, had given him more courage to go around the country fighting against outsourcing.
Mahlangu indicated that he might take up the fight against poor prison conditions.
In an interview, he said his lawyer had advised him not to disclose what happened on the day he claimed to have been abducted.
However, he promised he would call a media briefing to share some of the details after clearing it with his legal team.
Mthatha magistrate Thukela MacPauzin released Mahlangu on R600 bail after senior state prosecutor Thembisa Ntloko did not oppose bail, but asked it be set at R1000.
Mahlangu’s lawyer, Bayethe Maswazi, asked for his client to be released on R500 because he had no income. The case was postponed to July 11. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za
Released activist to fight on
Overwhelmed by the support shown by Walter Sisulu University (WSU) workers, who clubbed together to stump up his bail money, Mahlangu cried as Xhobani Security Services and Red Alert Cleaning employees sang struggle and pro-Mahlangu songs in front of the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court.
As he walked out of court, the workers ran towards him, hugging and lifting him high.
After gathering his strength, Mahlangu addressed the workers at the Mthatha Freedom Square, saying he was happy they were still fighting against outsourcing at WSU.
Mahlangu told the workers he was inspired by them.
“No hero or messiah is going to win this struggle. You are the ones that are going to win . They thought I’m a hero, they thought I’m a messiah. They came and they took me out – but you continued.
“To those who are responsible for what I went through, my message is simple – bring it on! I will not stop with this struggle ...” he said.
Mahlangu made headlines earlier this month when he sent a text message to his comrades asking them to open a kidnapping case.
He was due to address WSU workers but was later arrested by the Hawks and charged with perjury and defeating the ends of justice.
Mahlangu said spending almost two weeks at Wellington Prison, in co nditions he described as poor, had given him more courage to go around the country fighting against outsourcing.
Mahlangu indicated that he might take up the fight against poor prison conditions.
In an interview, he said his lawyer had advised him not to disclose what happened on the day he claimed to have been abducted.
However, he promised he would call a media briefing to share some of the details after clearing it with his legal team.
Mthatha magistrate Thukela MacPauzin released Mahlangu on R600 bail after senior state prosecutor Thembisa Ntloko did not oppose bail, but asked it be set at R1000.
Mahlangu’s lawyer, Bayethe Maswazi, asked for his client to be released on R500 because he had no income. The case was postponed to July 11. — ndamasem@dispatch.co.za
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