A Mthwakazi Republic Party activist has been released unconditionally after the state withdrew a cyber-bullying charge against him before his court hearing could begin on Friday, December 19, 2025.
Lwazi Khanye was represented in court by his lawyer, Nqobani Sithole.
The charge was brought under Section 164B of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, read with the Cyber and Data Protection Act.
The case stemmed from a video Khanye posted on his personal Facebook account.
In the video, he documented finding a photograph attached to a tree at a bushy, undesignated shrine.
The picture was tied with a red cloth, woollen strings, and needles.
Following the video's publication, individuals who identified as users and leaders of the shrine filed a complaint.
They alleged the video constituted cyber-bullying and was posted with malicious intent to damage their church's reputation.
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The formal complainants were the leaders operating the shrine.
The matter was reviewed and found to be inadmissible for court proceedings before prosecution withdrew the case
Despite the withdrawal, police from the Criminal Investigation Department seized Khanye's mobile phone.
They stated the device was needed for further investigation and examination of its contents.
Khanye was advised he could be summoned again if further evidence emerged.
In a statement, the MRP framed the outcome as a victory for constitutional rights.
The party said it viewed the withdrawal "as a clear affirmation that the criminal justice system must not be abused to pursue unsupported allegations or to chill constitutionally protected expression."
The MRP added that its commitment to defending members against "arbitrary arrest, selective enforcement, and misuse of cyber-crime laws."
"MRP views the withdrawal of this inadmissible case as a clear affirmation that the criminal justice system must not be abused to pursue unsupported allegations or to chill constitutionally protected expression," the MRP said.
"The party remains vigilant, firm, and uncompromising in defending its members against arbitrary arrest, selective enforcement, and misuse of cyber-crime laws."
