July unrest trial delayed after accused lose legal representation
The high-profile July 2021 unrest case was postponed on Monday after attorneys representing several accused withdrew.
THE long-awaited trial of 62 people accused of being involved in the July 2021 unrest and public violence in KwaZulu-Natal has been postponed to next week after several of the accused were left without legal representation on the day that the matter was due to be heard.
The accused appeared at the Durban High Court on Monday, the trial had been set down to commence on July 20 and run until September 18. Marking five years since the deadly civil unrest
KZN National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said proceedings could not begin as scheduled after the court was informed that several accused were no longer represented by attorneys following their withdrawal earlier in the day.
“The court ordered the affected accused to apply for legal aid immediately after the adjournment of the matter,” said Ramkisson-Kara.
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She said this was despite the State indicating it was fully prepared to proceed with the trial. “The State informed the court that it was ready to proceed with the trial and had five witnesses available to testify.”
The matter was subsequently postponed to July 27, when Legal Aid South Africa is expected to update the court on progress made in appointing legal representatives for the affected accused.
The 62 accused face a raft of serious charges linked to the widespread unrest that swept through parts of KZN and Gauteng which claimed the lives of over 300 people and caused billions of rands in damages in July 2021.
According to the NPA, these include incitement to commit public violence, incitement to commit terrorism, conspiracy to commit public violence, conspiracy to commit murder, terrorism, sedition and public violence.
The trial is expected to proceed once the issue of legal representation has been resolved.
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