KZN, Gauteng riots: At least 11 alleged instigators arrested, says Sitole

National Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole has told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police that 11 people believed to have instigated the recent riots in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng, have been arrested.

Sitole appeared before the committee on Thursday, 29 July 2021, along with other members of the police top brass, including Minister Bheki Cele.

DA MP Okkie Terblanche asked Sitole during the briefing whether any arrests were made in connection with the so-called ‘failed insurrection.’

“The only thing that I can say is that, to date, the reports that have been brought to me, 11 instigators have been arrested. And they are behind bars. But, I don’t want to say there are 12 people,” he said.

“We have asked in the National Security Council as well, where we are reporting, that we rather be allowed to deal with this matter operationally. Because, from time to time, we are asked to relate on progress on arrests. Sometimes, if you are dealing with an unconventional approach, it is far more risky to tell people that you have arrested someone, because of the other unconventional modus operandi risk[s] that are there.”

National Police Commissioner General Khehla Sitole

UPDATE: KZN and Gauteng riots

It isn’t known whether those arrested are included in the list of the 12 alleged instigators of the riots. Several suspects have already appeared in the dock, on suspicion of having masterminded the chaos, including former Ukhozi FM radio DJ Ngizwe Mchunu, who was recently granted bail at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

While President Cyril Ramaphosa has labelled the recent unrest as a failed insurrection, others are not in agreement, including the EFF.

The riots started out as semi-violent demonstrations demanding former president Jacob Zuma’s release from prison in KZN, but soon morphed into riots which saw shopping malls and other establishments being targeted. The unrest soon spread ton parts of Gauteng after which the violence escalated. So far, well over 330 people have been killed in the riots, while more than 2 200 others have been arrested.