Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma opens case over social media threat

March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma filed a criminal case at Durban Central Police Station on Tuesday against a man who allegedly published a social media post calling for her to be raped and killed. The case names Sello Lemonka Gemba over the threatening remarks, which were posted on his Facebook profile earlier in the week before being deleted.

According to IOL, Gemba is purported to be an ANC supporter and has subsequently indicated that he stood by the remarks. The incident has drawn sharp condemnation from the ruling party as investigations get underway.

ANC Condemns Remarks and Calls for Investigation

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu stated that if the comments were accurately attributed to Gemba, they were vile, reprehensible and wholly incompatible with the values, traditions and political culture of the party. Bhengu emphasized that there can never be political, personal or ideological justification for incitement to rape, murder or any form of violence against another person, adding that no disagreement gives anyone licence to threaten another individual’s life, bodily integrity, or dignity.

The party rejected any attempts to associate such conduct with the movement or to use purported party support as a shield for violent, misogynistic, or criminal rhetoric. Highlighting that social media is not a lawless space, the ANC called on law-enforcement authorities to investigate the allegations without fear, favour, or prejudice, and to act decisively where evidence establishes criminal conduct.

ANC Verifies Gemba Membership for Possible Disciplinary Action

The ANC announced that it will verify whether Gemba holds active membership in the organization. If established that he is a member, the party stated that its internal disciplinary processes must also be allowed to take their course.

The organization distanced itself unequivocally from the alleged remarks, noting that the conduct is particularly reprehensible in a society confronting the persistent scourge of gender-based violence and femicide. The party urged its members and supporters to uphold human dignity, non-sexism, non-violence, and respect for the rule of law.