Suspect linked to 2021 unrest appears in court

A 42-year-old suspect is expected to appear at the Durban Magistrate Court today on charges linked to the unrest of July 2021.

The suspect handed herself over at the Durban Central police station this morning, and was arrested and processed. 

She faces charges under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA), and incitement to commit violence.

The arrest is as a result of a thorough investigation by the Durban Crimes against the State Unit of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation, following the unrest of July 2021, which affected KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

To date, 69 arrests and one conviction have been secured.

READ | SAHRC releases July 2021 unrest report

During the unrest, around 350 people lost their lives. The violence and destruction also caused damage to infrastructure and businesses, costing South Africa’s economy some R50 billion, with a further two million jobs being lost or affected.

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) report into the unrest, which was released in January 2024, found that a myriad factors contributed to the outbreak of destruction and violence during the riots.

According to the SAHRC, evidence indicated that the acts of destruction during the unrest were well-orchestrated, including the blocking of the N3 highway, destruction of factories and warehouses, attack on government communication facilities, and bombing and theft of ATMs. 

READ | DPCI determined to deal with national priority offences

“It is clear by now that the DPCI [Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation] shall continue to secure in court the attendance of anyone against whom sufficient evidence of committing a national priority offence is obtained, without fear, favour or prejudice,” the National Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Adv. Godfrey Lebeya said on Thursday. – SAnews.gov.za