JULY UNREST | Hawks nab eight more riot instigator suspects in KZN

Eight more people were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal by the Hawks on Thursday in connection with promoting the July 2021 riots. 

The latest arrests are part of an ongoing operation by the Hawks which has resulted in 34 arrests. 

Siyabonga Shandu, 31, Lihle Mnguni, 31, Jabulani Radebe, 40, Swelihle Shembe, 41, Sethembile Sithole, 32, Philisiwe Zungu, 39, Psychology Malope, 46 and Nhlanhla Ndlovu, 40, all appeared in the Durban magistrate's court. 

Together with the other 26 suspects arrested last week, they face charges of conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence and incitement to commit arson.

The bulk of arrests have been carried out in KZN, with at least one other arrest in the North West and one from the Free State.

Hawks spokesperson Brig Thandi Mbambo confirmed the arrest of eight people on Thursday.

KZN National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Kara said bail was set at R3,000 each. 

They are not to post any information regarding the case on social media, need to inform the investigating officer should they wish to leave KZN and are to inform the investigating officer should they change their residential address and, or, their contact number.

"The matter was remanded to August 26 for further investigations."

TimesLIVE broke the story last week after sources in the unit indicated that the operation would yield about 85 arrests, which would include prominent political figures. 

So far senior ANC Youth League (ANCYL) leader in the Musa Dladla region, Sanele Masuku, and public order police officer Menzi Blose have been named among those of prominence. 

The Sunday Times reported that the timing of the arrests had drawn questions among members of the Hawks.

Jakkie Cilliers, head of African Futures & Innovation at the Institute for Security Studies,  said the government was under immense pressure to act after its failings during the July unrest. 

He said South Africans should not expect too much from the arrests this week. 

“Government is under intense pressure ... to demonstrate success. They are working with evidence on charges that they can prove in court but what is particularly difficult is to create a linkage between instigation [and] action. A tweet by Jacob Zuma’s daughter in celebration of something doesn’t mean that you can prove in court that she is responsible for an action.”

Last week the Hawks confirmed the former president's daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla was named in a statement obtained relating to the July unrest.

Mbambo told TimesLIVE they were not directly investigating her but she had been named in statements from sources.

When questioned whether she would be investigated by the Hawks, Mbambo replied: “Sort of, but not really. She has been named in certain statements which we have obtained. We are not investigating her directly.”

The 26 arrested earlier are: 

• Smangaliso Zwane, 31, from Ntuzuma;
• Mbongeni Mzimela, 29, from Ntuzuma;
• Sipho Tchezi Mbele, 39, from Parys;
• Nkanyiso Dlamini, 32, from Reservoir Hills; 
• Ncamisile Ndlovu, 43, from Umgababa;
• Sthembiso Mthiyane, 40, from Inanda;
• Gods Surprise Ntuli, 48, from Illovo;
• Sanele Mhlongo, 31, (no address listed);
• Sanel Masuku, 29, from Richards Bay;
• Sandile Cebekhulu 49, (no address listed);
• Mduduzi Mkhize, 42, from Mariannhill;
• Qedukazi Dladla, 42, (no address listed);
• Mbongeni Mkhize (no age or address); 
• Lindokhule Shilenge, 32, from Empangeni;
• Zanele Bhengu, 42, from Verulam;
• Malibongwe Khubeka from Vryheid;
• Sisanda Ntshona, 43, from Dundee;
• Sfiso Sokhulu, 33, from Inanda;
• Thobile Mfeka, 48, from Inanda; 
• Ntombizonke Msalela, 42, from Pinetown;
• Lwazi Memela, 39, from Pinetown; 
• Sibusiso Gwala, 46, from Pietermaritzburg;
• Menzi Blose, 43;
• Matthews Ntjonto, 51;
• Mthokozisi Gwala, 37; and
• Sibusiso Ngubane, 29,

TimesLIVE

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