I will gladly die for my people, says Nhlanhla Lux after getting bail
- General News Politics
NMMABUNDA
- 4 minutes read
Nhlanhla “Lux” Mohlauli, the leader of the anti-foreigner group Operation Dudula, said on Monday that he will not be sorry if he is killed for his activism.
“All of us know where drugs are sold. There are some saying Lux won’t spend two weeks outside, he will be shot. I will be the happiest person underground,” Mohlauli said while addressed a crowd of supporters shortly after his release from custody.
“If I die for my people, you should know that this is the happiest man. I will be a dead man who is alive because I would have died for my nation.
“I will be sitting next to Chris Hani and Steve Biko and telling them that I have left others behind, like Cosas [the Congress of South African Students]. They would have killed me, not the revolution.”
On Monday, the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court freed Mohlauli on R1 500 bond.
Several supporters were present outside the courtroom and at the Johannesburg central police station, where Mohlauli had been imprisoned since last week.
The court ordered the leader of Operation Dudula to avoid any contact and communication with the complainant, Victor Ramerafe, as part of his release conditions.
Mohlauli was also told he couldn’t alter his address and had to hand over his passport to the investigating officer.
During Mohlauli’s appearance in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court, a large number of police officers, including members of the public order policing section, were stationed.
Outside of court, Mohlauli addressed his fans, urging them not to hate or be harsh with members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Some fans pulled up a homemade coffin with a photo of EFF leader Julius Malema during his speech. “RIP Juju,” was written on the coffin.
Mohlauli responded, ripping the image of Malema from the casket, “I want to address what you are seeing here as well.” This is a load of crap. Please remove this object [the coffin] and allow me to explain why I believe it is nonsense. Our people’s weaknesses are not our assets. It is the weakness of those who have brought us to this point.
“These people should benefit from our leadership too. We must not kill these people who have brought us here. We are not going to be carrying caskets and saying Malema must die. We are better people than them.
“Already they were on a stage, saying Nhlanhla Lux must die … I am not even going to open a case because I have meditated enough with my ancestors and I got a message that those are our people.”
Ike Khumalo, the activist’s lawyer, told television Newzroom Afrika earlier that the charges are ridiculous and absurd.
“Housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property … he could have been released on a warning at the police station. The manner how he was arrested, he was arrested like a hardcore convict. So many (police) cars, some at the traffic lightss. We feel that it was heavy-handed,” said Khumalo.
“These charges are laughable because you can go interview the communities, and they will tell you that the guy is a drug dealer. People drop drugs there. They smoke drugs there.”
Khumalo said the charges against Mohlauli are “political”. He said there was a team of attorneys and advocates helping Mohlauli “because they do understand what he stands for”.
On Wednesday, Mohlauli, also known as Nhlanhla Lux, was detained at the Dobsonville police station in Soweto after a case was initiated. Because he is a member of the EFF, the complainant, Victor Ramerafe, received assistance from the party led by Malema in filing the complaint.
After the movement accused Ramerafe’s home of being a drug den, members of Operation Dudula, commanded by Mohlauli, allegedly ransacked his home.
