Phoenix lobby group 'taken aback' by leader's arrest for inciting violence, racial hatred
A lobby group calling for justice for those killed in Phoenix says it was taken aback by the arrest of its leader.
Jackie Shandu was taken into custody for remarks in Durban which allegedly incited racial violence.
"Our understanding is that comrade Shandu over his remarks of 'One settler, one bullet. One Indian, one bullet' it is a retraction in his social media accounts. It is a retraction on media houses who were interviewing him," said spokesperson for the Justice for Phoenix Massacre Victims Phezu Mthethwa.
READ: KZN activist sorry for ‘One Indian, one bullet’ remarks
"So generally, the public already knows that he has in principal withdrawn those remarks and the other thing is that our understanding was there was no warrant of arrest although it was going to be negotiated."
Shandu handed himself in to police in central Durban on Monday after charges were opened against him over his 'One settler, one bullet. One Indian, one bullet' comment at a march last week.
Mthethwa said, at the station, they were also briefed on what the charges mean.
READ: Lobby group calls for commission of inquiry into Phoenix killings
"He is being charged by contravening the Riotous Assembly Act of 1952 inciting violence and racial hatred. So that we understand but we don't understand when he had to be in custody. So even someone has practically handed himself over to the police."
The group was formed after it emerged that - during the unrest - at least 38 people were killed in apparent vigilante attacks in Phoenix last month. The murders reignited racial tensions in communities in around the area in recent weeks.
READ: Phoenix #AllLivesMatter organiser: 'There is no racial tension'
