Alleged July unrest instigators due in court for pre-trial hearing

The 65 people charged for allegedly instigating the 2021 July unrest are set to return to the dock in the Durban High Court for a pre-trial hearing on Monday morning.

The group is implicated in the deadly riots and wanton looting in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

They also face terrorism related charges.

More than 450 people died during the wave of civil unrest that also cost the economy more than R50 billion.

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The State in the matter is alleging that the accused meticulously planned the riots using social media like WhatsApp groups.

However, the State is yet to prove its case.

“Since the arrests in 2022, the matter has seen several delays with lawyers of some of the accused also pulling out,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.

Meanwhile, another alleged instigator, Bonginkosi Khanyile, will also appear in court on similar charges for the anarchy.