Trial of 62 alleged unrest instigators set to start in Durban
The trial of 62 people accused of orchestrating the deadly July 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng is set to begin in the Durban High Court. Prosecutors are expected to rely heavily on WhatsApp messages, videos and audio recordings as digital evidence.
One of the country's biggest criminal trials linked to the July 2021 unrest is due to get underway in the Durban High Court on Monday.
The State is set to begin laying out its case against 62 alleged instigators of unrest. The long-awaited trial of the group accused of instigating the deadly civil unrest gets underway five years after parts of KZN and Gauteng were rocked by incidents of violence, arson and looting.
More than 350 lives were lost, thousands of businesses looted, and billions of rands in damage left behind.
Initially, 65 people were detained a year after the riots, but three of the accused have since died.
Prosecutors allege the violence was coordinated through several WhatsApp groups, including one called #FreeZumaCoordinators. It was previously heard in court that these groups were used to spread information and issue instructions to those on the ground.
Over the next eight weeks, the State’s digital evidence is expected to take centre stage in the trial.
ALSO READ: Matlala and co-accused set to stand trial over alleged contract killings
Prosecutors are set to bring in digital forensic experts to present messages, video and audio clips from three WhatsApp groups, allegedly used to help coordinate the unrest.
It is not clear if the trial will go ahead, as some accused have repeatedly changed lawyers in the past, while others needed legal aid.
They face a raft of serious charges, including conspiracy to commit public violence, murder and terrorism.
