By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The 20 people accused of being the instigators of the 2021 July unrest were granted bail of R3 000 each at the Durban Central Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on Thursday announced it had arrested 20 suspects for allegedly instigating the violence and looting that swept across KZN and Gauteng.
The 20 people were arrested simultaneously in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, North West, Free State, Western Cape and Northern Cape.
It’s part of a mass investigation into those who incited public violence through social media and other platforms during the riots.
All 20 men and women briefly lined up in Court U on Friday.
The public gallery was filled with family members and others dressed in ANC regalia.
Prosecutor Yuri Gangai told the court the state had met with the attorneys of the accused and agreed that bail should be set at R3 000.
The bail would be granted on condition that they do not interfere with the investigation and let the investigating team know when they leave the province.
Gangai told the court that more arrests are taking place on Friday and will continue over the next few days.
They face charges ranging from conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence and incitement to commit arson.
The trial was adjourned to 26 August.