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Three years after the deadly violence erupted in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the GOOD Party is cautiously optimistic about signs that progress is being made in the investigation and prosecution of the July 2021 unrest instigators.

It is encouraging that the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority managed to arrest 66 alleged perpetrators late last year and that they have been indicted on charges of terrorism, conspiracy to commit terrorism, sedition, public violence, and conspiracy to commit murder. 

We are also encouraged to learn that a pre-trial conference, later this month on 26 July 2024, will likely set a trial date for the prosecution of these accused.

In July 2021 our country’s economy was brought to its knees by widespread unrest and looting.

Over 300 people died across the two provinces and the economic damage is estimated to be at least R50-million.

In August 2021, I handed over evidence to the Hawks implicating 26 alleged instigators of this violence. 

Whistleblowers in the ANC, provided me with evidence relating to three predominantly KZN-focused WhatsApp groups named "Ethekwini Shutdown", "Ink Shutdown 10/07/2021", and "Free Zuma Information". I subsequently received further information relating to a Gauteng WhatsApp group named "Joburg Activists Home".

It was apparent from the posts and comments in these WhatsApp groups that the riots were instigated in retaliation for the incarceration of the former president and now Leader of the MK Party, Jacob Zuma. It was a well-orchestrated attack consisting of widespread arson, sabotage, looting and lawlessness. 

The evidence I handed to the Hawks exposed carefully planned and funded activities with some evidence of “hidden hands” – players who were orchestrating the alleged terrorism but who were not themselves on the WhatsApp groups. Unfortunately, three years later it appears that the real instigators have not yet been identified or held accountable.

Whistleblowers are key in the fight against corruption. However, our justice system places them at serious risk and continues to fail them when swift action is not taken.. They risk their jobs and safety by coming forward and the current laws do not protect them. 

As our Government of National Unity designs its governing plan for the next five years the protection of whistleblowers must be a top priority in the fight against corruption and crime. Equally, the resourcing of our criminal justice system must be prioritised so that justice can be seen to be done much more successfully and quickly.

The 2021 July unrest is a grim reminder of how easily the tinder-box of South Africa’s inequality can be exploited for the instigation of lawlessness.  

We cannot rest until those who instigated the insurrection are brought to book. Nor can we ignore the persistent failure to address inequality and poverty.

Issued by Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General