#FreeZuma campaigner Ngizwe Mchunu’s bail plea has been denied
The former radio presenter is considered a flight risk and will remain in custody while investigations into his involvement in plot to unseat president Ramaphosa continues
STORY: Sihle Mkhize
PHOTO: Twitter
Former Ukhozi FM presenter and one of the leaders of the #FreeZuma campaign, Ngizwe Mchunu has been denied bail. His bail application was heard at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday morning.
Mchunu faces charges after he was identifies as one of the instigators of violent protests that hit parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng earlier this month. The protests culminated to mass looting and destruction of property in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
During his bail application, the state argued that Mchunu is a flight risk. The Purpose has gathered that Mchunu holds a passport which expires in 2026 and an American Visa expiring in 2027.
He also seems to have access to private jets. He had earlier claimed to have been whisked off in a private jet when he was under police surveillance in Gauteng.
Mchunu is facing possible terrorism charges and contravening Covid-19 rules. He was in forefront of the #FreeZuma campaign and at some point called himself the president of the poor.
The campaign started after Zuma sentenced to 15 months imprisonment for contempt of court. But it has also come to the fore that the campaign may have been an insurrection. It has been alleged that it was started with an aim of unseating current state president, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mchunu became famous for his “Azikhale” call for people to come out in their numbers to partake in the #FreeZuma protests. These protests which turned violent happened during hard lock down due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus.
The media was blocked from entering the court room where Mchunu’s bail hearing was heard on Wednesday. A group of Mchunu’s supporters outside were chanting asking what Mchunu did?
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Among those who came out to support him were famous maskandi artists, Mthandeni “Igcokama Elisha” Manqele, Njoko “Ihobosha” Mbambo and Dr Khangelani “DSD” Mhlongo.
Igcokama Elisha on Wednesday morning wrote on his Facebook page: “Whether the situation is bad or good he’s one of our own Mabhinca (a name Zulu traditionalists call themselves). We know him and we can’t just throw him away.”
