Heavy police presence at Durban court as riot 'instigators' appear
There was a heavy police presence outside the Durban Magistrate's Court on Friday morning where 20 people suspected of being among the instigators of last year's riots were set to appear.
They were arrested in operations across six provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday.
High-level detectives from the Hawks and several heavily armed police officers descended on the courtroom where the accused are meant to line up.
Lots of activity outside the court room. Detectives from the Hawks are also here. They along with POP and other officials arrested the suspects yesterday @ECR_Newswatch pic.twitter.com/S2vymNcQsE
— Nushera Soodyal (@nushera) August 12, 2022
The accused, who we can only identify after they appear, are said to be from all over the country.
They face charges ranging from conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence and incitement to commit arson.
READ: 20 'instigators' of deadly 2021 riots set to appear in Durban court
The arrests are part of the DPCI's investigation into those who incited public violence through social media and other platforms during the July unrests.
Over 300 people died during the unrest that broke out and spread throughout KZN and Gauteng.
The court is packed. Some of those in court are dressed in ANC regalia @ECR_Newswatch pic.twitter.com/3WVn1Le95N
— Nushera Soodyal (@nushera) August 12, 2022
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