Staff Reporter.
Eight more people have been arrested as part of a Hawks investigation into the instigators of the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng in July last year.
More than 300 people died during the violence, which was sparked by the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma who was found to have been in contempt of a Constitutional Court order to appear before the State Capture Commission into state capture.
The suspects, aged between 31 and 46, made their first court appearance on Thursday, in the Durban Magistrates’ Court, after they were arrested by the Hawks.
They face charges of conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence and incitement to commit arson relating to the acts of looting and public violence that took place in parts of KZN during the riots.
The 8-19 July riots – that rocked parts of KZN and Gauteng – claimed the lives of more than 330 people and caused extensive damage to public infrastructure and businesses, resulting in billions of rand lost in the local economy.
The violence was ostensibly triggered by former president Jacob Zuma’s incarceration by the Constitutional Court for contempt of court.
The latest arrests on Thursday brought the total number of suspects arrested recently for allegedly instigating the July unrest to 34.
Thirty-two suspects were nabbed in KZN, one in the Free State and another in the North West.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the eight suspects were released subject to various strict bail conditions.
They were ordered not to post any information regarding the case on social media, to inform the investigating officer (IO) should they wish to leave KZN, and to inform the IO should they change their residential address or their contact numbers.
The suspects were expected to appear in court again on 26 August 2022, along with their co-accused, while police carried out further investigations.
Meanwhile Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla says she expects the authorities to pounce on her “Hollywood style” following the recent arrests of the alleged instigators of last year’s July unrest.
Zuma-Sambundla who is former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter, has predicted her own arrest as the Hawks continue its investigation into her alleged role in inciting public violence during the widespread looting and destruction seen in parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng last year.
“I’m told this is how my arrest will probably play out: arrest me Hollywood style on a Friday. Consider denying bail, but there might be some pressure to grant the bail. Then give me bail conditions, which will include that I stay off social media, [especially] Twitter. We see you!!!” she said in a tweet.
Last year, DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach laid criminal charges against Zuma-Sambudla and Duduzane Zuma as well as their older brother Edward Zuma, and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, over their comments on social media and in the media during the unrest.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.