KZN high court sets trial dates for 62 accused in July unrest case
A police officer attempting to stop looting during the unrest that rocked KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng in July 2021.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers
The Durban High Court has set the trial dates for the 62 people accused of instigating the July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the case was certified trial-ready on Monday and is set to be heard from July 20 to September 18, 2026.
The accused face charges of conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence, terrorism, sedition, and conspiracy to commit murder.
In July 2021, violent protests and socio-political unrest resulted in widespread looting of shops and businesses and the burning and destruction of public facilities and private properties, mostly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
More than 300 people were killed in the riots and looting that cost the economy billions of Rand.
Meanwhile, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, faces three counts of incitement to commit terrorism and two counts of incitement to commit public violence.
The State alleges that her social media posts during that period encouraged violent acts that led to the destruction of property, disruption of essential services, and widespread economic losses.
It was argued that Zuma-Sambudla, because of her public status as Zuma’s daughter, coupled with her 124,000 X followers, assumed the title of social media influencer therefore, what she wrote on her page was taken seriously by people.
She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
IOL News
Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now.