South Africa: 2021 July Unrest Suspects Appear in Court

Four suspects arrested in connection with the 2021 July unrest have appeared in court where the matter was postponed to next month, said the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks).

The four appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate Court on Tuesday, charged with incitement to commit public violence.

Bekuyise Cebekhulu (58) from KwaZulu-Natal, Jimmy Sibeko (44) from Gauteng, Busisiwe Skhosana (52) also Gauteng, as well as Bogadi Mahisa (49) from Gauteng were each granted bail of R1500.

They will appear again in court on 02 July 2025.

According to the Hawks, more arrests are imminent.

Their arrests emanate from the July 2021 unrest where it was alleged that supporters of former President Jacob Zuma, participated in a WhatsApp chat group chat named "Zuma Real Activist 100%" and other chat groups on the platform where they would post inciting messages which is believed to have led to the public violence as well as the looting of retail stores in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal at the time.

The protests, violence, and looting erupted across the two provinces following the imprisonment of the former President.

Thorough investigations were conducted by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime, Crimes Against the State (CATS) in Gauteng and upon completion of the investigations, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) took a decision to prosecute those who posted messages which led to the unrest.

Gauteng Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa welcomed the arrests and commended the investigating team.

"[The] DPCI [Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation] shall continue to secure in court, the attendance of anyone against whom sufficient evidence of committing a national priority offence is obtained, without fear, favour or prejudice," said the Major General.

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