By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) on Thursday arrested 20 alleged instigators of the July unrest in a national operation.
Hawks said it has made significant inroads in probing alleged instigators in the incitement of public violence that took place in July last year.
“The ongoing prosecution guided investigation resulted in the arrest of 20 persons of interests on 11 August 2022. Joint police teams were mobilised to execute simultaneous arrests in various areas so as to secure court attendance of persons of interest, spread-out in KwaZulu Natal, Gauteng, North West, Free State, Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces,” the Hawks said on Thursday.
The multidisciplinary team included the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation (SOCI), Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI), Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI), Digital Forensic Investigation (DFI), Priority Crime Management Centre (PCMC) of the Hawks, Crime Intelligence (CI), National Intervention Unit (NIU), Public Order Policing (POP), Tactical Response Team (TRT) as well as Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) members.
The National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya commended the investigation and prosecution team for their meticulous work.
Lebeya assured the nation that the team under his command will continue to work without fear, favour nor prejudice.
The group is expected to appear in the Durban Central Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
They face charges such as conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence and incitement to commit arson.
More than a year later the country is still reeling from the more than R50bn economic knock that resulted from the insurrection. It is believed to have stemmed from former president Jacob Zuma’s arrest.
Meanwhile seven more suspects who were arrested during police raids in Krugersdorp appeared in court on Thursday after they were linked to the rape of eight women who were shooting a music video at an abandoned mine in the area.
The suspects were among 82 zama zamas arrested during raids launched after residents went to the mine shaft and raided the area.
Their appearance comes after seven suspects appeared on Wednesday and had more charges added against them.
The 14 men were initially charged with being in the country illegally, but are now facing additional charges including multiple counts of rape and robbery with aggravated circumstances.
The remaining suspects are only charged with being in the country illegally.