Alleged instigators of 2021 civil unrest back in court

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The alleged instigators of the 2021 civil unrest who face charges of murder and terrorism were back in the Durban High Court on Tuesday. Two of the 65 accused were however absent from the proceedings, with one having handed in a sick note while the court issued a stayed warrant of arrest for the other.

The murder charge relates to the state’s allegation that the accused conspired to kill Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, following the 15-month imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma for contempt of court after he refused to appear before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, chaired by Zondo.

The State alleges that the accused committed terrorist activities by planning, inciting and carrying out violent incidents and looting with the aim of exerting pressure on authorities to release Zuma.

The 65 accused persons, aged between 29 and 62, are mostly residents of KwaZulu-Natal, with some from the Free State and Gauteng. Majority of the accused were wearing t-shirts bearing the new MK party logo.

They face multiple charges which include sedition, conspiracy to commit terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder. The State says they acted in common purpose, in the period between 8 and 15 July, by coordinating to destabilize the economy and caused the destruction of private and public property.

The State says Zuma’s supporters, including the accused, were disgruntled by the Constitutional Court’s decision and publicly campaigned against his imprisonment through gatherings and social media posts.

The State also adds they created several WhatsApp groups with the intention of organizing and inciting violent incidents of looting.

“The conspiracy to commit murder has to do basically with the judgment that was made with regards to the former president and the events that unfolded,” says Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, NPA Spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal.

The State says it’s confident of a successful conviction.

“We intend on putting the best case forward in the hope that we will win the case and at the end of the day it is the presiding officer that will rule on that but the state is hopeful that we will be successful in the matter,” Ramkisson-Kara added.

Two of the accused are yet to finalize their legal representation. The matter was adjourned till early April.