Masterminds behind July unrest still at large - Lamola

Lamola appeared before the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Thursday amid the ongoing inquiry into the unrest that left more than 350 people dead and more than R50 billion down the drain.

Hundreds were also arrested, including alleged instigators Bonginkosi Khanyile and Ngizwe Mchunu.

Both are allies of former President Jacob Zuma.

But there are some concerns that the masterminds that orchestrated the violence and widespread looting are yet to be brought to book.

"It does concern me, and it can only end there. As you aware I cannot instruct the NPA and the police who and how to arrest but I do believe that with the information at their disposal they will be able to arrest the masterminds behind this unrest," Lamola told the SAHRC panel.

"We do need to see the masterminds, the plotters, the ringleaders of all these events to be arrested.

"It is important that they get arrested," he added.

Several high-profile officials have appeared before the commission, including Police Minister Bheki Cele and eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.

Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa released the expert panel report into the civil unrest - a damning recollection of the intelligence structure that failed to prevent the catastrophic events.

While the country's intelligence structures were caught napping, there are further concerns that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) does not have enough might to pick up the pieces.

Lamola assured a cash injection of R1 billion for the prosecution unit to help with capitalisation.

"The National Treasury has given us an additional R1 billion to help the National Prosecuting Authority to capacitate itself in terms of forensic investigations, digital investigations, accounting and so forth.

"The crimes they are now dealing with are very sophisticated and complex."

Listen to Lamola below:

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