Man convicted for inciting xenophobia in Durban 'should’ve gotten heavier sentence'
A network of refugees says a heavier sentence should've been imposed on a man convicted of inciting violence against foreign nationals in Durban.
Philani Gumede was handed a R10 000 fine or a three-year prison sentence.
The Durban Regional Court heard that he was a member of Operation Dudula and sent a voice note via WhatsApp to inform the group's members that they were going to chase foreign nationals out of Durban in March 2022.
It's understood that they were going to enter businesses owned by foreign nationals and remove all the contents.
Officials say the message did the round on WhatsApp groups before landing in the hands of police.
It's understood some shops were attacked in the CBD.
"Hopefully, it can teach a lesson to other perpetrators, but also we can ask that there should be a heavier sentence than this one where there should be imprisonment without an option for a fine," says KZN chair of the SA Refugee-led Network, Jean Madel.
"Crimes like this one have affected people's lives and livelihoods of refugees in particular."
