Umamah Bakharia

The Hawks says they believe they have a strong case against the 22 people that were arrested for instigating the July unrest in 2021.

Last year, 350 people died while billions were lost due to public violence that broke out in parts of Kwa Zulu Natal and Gauteng.

“I must say this was a complex and sophisticated one. And that there were a lot of people that we were looking at as the investigation unfolded. We were able to have enough evidence that these people that we have arrested yesterday, the 20 people, we have a strong case and the evidence is enough and we believe that we will find a conviction on this 20 people that we have arrested,” says Leseja Senona, head of the Hawks in KZN.

Since then, the Hawks have arrested 22 suspects that appeared before the Durban Magistrate Court on charges relation to incitement to commit violence and incitement to commit arson.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara says, “The charges relate to the incidents of looting and public violence that took place in parts of KZN during July last year.”

However, the accused have been released on R3 000 bail and the matter was reminded to 26 August.

The Hawks say more arrests are expected as the operation to track the suspects continues.