The presidency has distanced itself from the arrest of a UCT student after he allegedly brandished his middle finger at President Jacob Zuma's cavalcade. Chumani Maxwele, a sociology student, was arrested on charges of crimen injuria and resisting arrest while jogging along the M3 highway last Wednesday. Zuma's office said the president was not involved in pressing charges against Maxwele, or in any matters connected with the incident.
Police ministry spokesperson Zweli Mnisi said the president's convoy had been going from Tuynhuys to Rondebosch, along the M3, around 6pm when it passed two joggers. "It passed the joggers and reduced speed because of traffic. One of the joggers pointed his middle finger at the convoy, which is synonymous with swearing and disrespect."
Maxwele denied the allegations, saying he had motioned for the vehicles to drive on because of the loud noise. Mnisi said police officers in the convoy got out of their vehicles and questioned Maxwele. It's alleged the student became verbally abusive towards the police officers, swearing and hurling insults at them. Maxwele said a black BMW pulled up and three men jumped out, allegedly pointing guns at him. He was then pushed into a car and a bag was pulled over his head. He was then allegedly first taken to Zuma's residence, then to the Mowbray police station. "No person is permitted to use foul language, swear at another individual, as such conduct may lead to promoting hate," said Mnisi. He said Maxwele was arrested and taken to Mowbray police station for further questioning.
Maxwele, an active ANC member, was held for just under 24 hours, allegedly interrogated by intelligence agents who asked for, among other things, the names of his friends and the name of the chairman of his ANC branch. Maxwele told other newspapers his house was raided by members of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) during his detention. Mnisi would not comment on these allegations. "We further need to clarify that the matter was handled solely by the police, as it forms part of our mandate of protecting all VIPs," said Mnisi.
When asked on what basis someone could be arrested for pointing a middle finger, Mnisi said he was commenting "on this isolated incident, this was insulting the president". He did not answer a question about whether Zuma himself pressed charges. But presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said he was not aware of Zuma's pressing any charges in the regard. "This is matter for the police. The safety and security of the president is a matter for them and the arrest was effected by them. They are entity which should deal with this." UCT spokesperson Ray Hartle said the university was aware of the incident and would "offer any support services to the student we can".
Meanwhile, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille on Wednesday expressed outrage at the arrest, and announced the immediate launch of an investigation into whether Zuma's VIP guards had violated Maxwele's constitutional rights. She would then personally raise the matter with Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa at a scheduled meeting at noon on Wednesday.
"The tactics employed by the police remind us of the tactics of the apartheid-era security police," Zille said.
Source: IoL
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