56-year-old man arrested for inciting racial violence on social media
The Cape Town Magistrate's Court has granted R1,000 bail to a 56-year-old man for allegedly inciting racial violence on social media.
Image: File
A 56-Year-old man arrested by the Hawks for allegedly making racial and violent statements on social media, threatening to incite violence against blacks, has been granted R1 000 bail.
Cameron Baya made his first appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, where he faced charges under the Contravention of the Cybercrimes Act and Contravention of Riotous Assemblies Act.
He is expected back in the dock in September.
Hawk’s spokesperson, Siyabulela Vukubi, confirmed Baya’s appearance in court and that he was granted bail.
“The matter was postponed to September 16,” he said.
Vukubi said that on March 28, the Hawks's Crimes Against the State unit received intelligence from foreign agency regarding an individual who made racial and violently charged statements on social media.
“The user allegedly made threats inciting violence against black individuals and expressed his intent to provoke a race war," said Vukubi.
“The investigation by the Hawks led to the arrest of the suspect after the case was formally registered.”
On Baya’s Facebook account, the old South African flag is shared and includes videos about race and farm murders.
The Hawks have yet to reveal on what platform the alleged threats were made.
The case has similar hallmarks to that of the arrest of a 50-year-old man earlier this year who made social media rants about South Africa.
In the video the man made derogatory remarks in reference to a specific racial group that in his views is purportedly intent on "harming white people".
The police said the remarks in the video explicitly detail the type of harm that white people are set to suffer at the hands of black people.
He was charged with crimen injuria and those related to the contravention of aspects of the Cyber Act.
As the investigation unfolds more charges could be added.
A stern warning has since been issued to all social media users to engage responsibly on social media, as failure to do so will have consequences.
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Cape Argus