THE Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, or the Hawks, have arrested 20 alleged instigators in the incitement of public violence during the period of unrests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng following a joint law enforcement operation.
According to the Hawks, joint police teams were mobilised to execute simultaneous arrests in various areas so as to secure court attendance of persons of interest, spread out in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, North West, Free State, Western Cape and Northern Cape provinces.
The 20 arrested suspects are expected to appear in the Durban Central Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
They are facing charges ranging from conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence and incitement to commit arson.
It is alleged that the suspects used social media and other platforms to incite public violence.
Widespread looting and burning of businesses broke out last year in July, a day after former President Jacob Zuma began serving a 15-month jail term for ignoring a corruption inquiry.
The riots claimed over 300 lives, according to government authorities.
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