KwaZulu-Natal ANC MPL Zandile Gumede on Monday denied “in the strongest terms” and dismissed with “contempt” suggestions that she was involved in the week-long insurrection.
The former eThekwini mayor, who is out on R50 000 bail, is a suspect in the R320-million Durban Solid Waste corruption case.
With police having nabbed several alleged instigators of the public violence and looting that took place in KZN and Gauteng some high profile people are feeling the heat,
Gumede has joined suspended ANC member Carl Niehaus, former president Jacob Zuma’s son – Duduzane, in denying, without being asked, any involvement in the unrest.
Late on Monday, Gumede said she was “a responsible and dedicated cadre and member of the ANC”.
She denied being an instigator of the violence that sought to undermine the authority of the state and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Gumede said she has lodged a complaint with the police in Mtshebheni, KZN, against those suggesting she had any part in the insurrection.
Earlier on Monday authorities said six of the 12 instigators of the insurrection had been picked up by the police.
Acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said: “Six individuals who have been identified as alleged instigators of the violent riots that flared up in parts of the country have been arrested,”
She said some have already appeared in court.
More than 3 000 people were arrested in the unrest that began as the #FreeZuma campaign.
At least a thousand of the suspects arrested for public violence and looting were scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
As many as 215 people lost their lives in the unrest.
