Community members from Phoenix township, North of Durban gather by a roadblock set to prevent looters to operate in Phoenix Township, North Durban, on July 15, 2021.
KZN riot instigators ARRESTED on Thursday – three things we know about the suspects
The suspects are believed to be on the list of more than 80 alleged instigators being monitored by the State. Meanwhile, two men were sentenced to jail by the Durban court on Thursday for public violence during last year’s unrest.
Community members from Phoenix township, North of Durban gather by a roadblock set to prevent looters to operate in Phoenix Township, North Durban, on July 15, 2021.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) reportedly arrested several suspects for their alleged involvement in stoking the flames that led to the devastating July unrest in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng last year, on Thursday, 11 August.
UPDATE: 20 alleged instigators arrested in SIX provinces on Thursday
ALLEGED INSTIGATORS ARRESTED IN KZN
According to a TimesLive report, at least six suspects were arrested by the Hawks in a secret operation in Kwazulu-Natal on Thursday.
As previously reported, the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster provided an update on the progress made with regard to the deadly unrest that left 354 people dead in July 2021.
On 8 July 2022, Minister of Police, Bheki Cele said 86 people were being monitored by the State for allegedly inciting public violence during the July unrest.
READ MORE: July Unrest one year later: 19 arrested for incitement, 86 more ‘being monitored’
THREE THINGS WE KNOW ABOUT THE SUSPECTS
- According to TimesLive, many are believed to have been part of the WhatsApp groups, including eThekwini Shutdown and Free Zuma, which mushroomed in the lead-up to the unrest.
- Some of the suspects are reportedly politically linked and are among the list of people being monitored by the government.
- The Hawks confirmed that an operation is underway in KZN and a statement about the arrests is expected before the end of Thursday.
In a related incident, two men were sentenced to five years imprisonment each by the Durban Regional Court on Thursday for public violence committed during last year’s unrest in KZN.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said Sihle Jali and Sifiso Ngcobo were arrested for their violent conduct at the Engen Garage on Nandi Drive.
“The men were sentenced in terms of Section 276 (i) of the Criminal Procedure Act, which means that they may be placed under correctional supervision, at the discretion of the Correctional Commissioner after having served a portion of their sentence,” said Kara.
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