Durban — All the alleged instigators of the July unrest who appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday will return to court on November 30, 2022.
That was revealed by the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, after the accused had made their second appearance in court.
Ramkisson-Kara said that 37 of the alleged instigators charged in connection with the July 2021 unrest and public violence had made their second appearance in court.
They face charges of conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence and incitement to commit arson.
Two more people, Thunyatha Greatman Sibani Nzimande, 46, and Zinhle Portia Hlengwa, 38, were added to the list of accused on Friday, Ramkisson-Kara said.
“This brings the total number of people in this matter to 48, with one person from the Western Cape, Masibongwe Sihlahla, 29, who appeared yesterday (on Thursday),” Ramkisson-Kara said.
She said that the set bail amount of R3 000 remains the same with the following conditions for the accused:
- They may not to post any information regarding the case on social media,
- They must inform the investigating officer should they wish to leave KZN and,
- They must inform the investigating officer should they change their residential address and/or their contact number.
“All the accused persons in this matter will return to court on November 30, 2022,” Ramkisson-Kara said.
Ten more alleged July unrest instigators appeared briefly in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
The group, which included four women, was arrested in Gauteng, while another person who did not make it to court was arrested in the Western Cape and was expected to join the others on Friday.
They were all granted bail of R3 000 each, while a 58-year-old was released on a warning after stating that she was unemployed and could not afford bail.
More than 300 people were killed during the widespread looting and violence last year.
Ramkisson-Kara said the matter was extended due to the fact that suspects were arrested outside the province.
“Considering that they appeared in court today (Wednesday) and the other accused will be appearing on Friday, the court came to the agreement that they appear in November due to the short distance between the first appearance and the second,” said Ramkisson-Kara.
Daily News