Riots in SA: Alleged instigators to appear in court on Monday

Two of the suspects arrested in connection the unrest that took place in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) are expected to appear in court on Monday, 19 July 2021.

One of the suspects will be at the Randfontein magistrate’s court while the other will appear at the Westonaria magistrate’s court. A third suspect who was also handcuffed is only expected in the dock on Tuesday.

SA unrest: More details on riot instigators

The arrests of the suspects was confirmed by Police Minister Bheki Cele on Sunday in KZN, and could not reveal their identities. Police also detailed the arrests of the three people.

“Police in the West Rand district in Gauteng arrested two suspects, one on Thursday evening, July 15, in Roodepoort and the second suspect on Friday, July 16, in Westonaria, both on allegations of creating and circulating inflammatory messages with the potential of inciting violence,” they said in a statement.

“A third suspect, a 21-year old woman, was arrested in Duduza in the Ekurhuleni district on Saturday, July 17, on similar allegations. She is expected to appear before the Nigel magistrate’s court on Tuesday July 21, 2021,”

The South African Police Service (SAPS)

Meanwhile, the number of people arrested in connection with last week’s riots now sits at 3 407. The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) says it has been inundated with tip-offs received telephonically and on its SAPS app, which helped them recover some of the items that were looted in both Gauteng and Kwazulu-Natal (KZN)

In Gauteng, 14 people were arrested in Tembisa, Alexandra and Moroka after being found in possession of suspected looted property, including mattresses, television sets, fridges and sound systems – to name but a few. While in KZN, 92 people were also handcuffed for the same offence.

“A warning has also been issued to those who were not part of the looting spree but are buying stolen property from the looters that they too, will be arrested for being in possession of stolen property,” the police’s Mathapelo Peters said.