July unrest trial delayed as legal representation issues continue
The trial of 62 accused in the July 2021 unrest will return to the Durban High Court in August 2027, following another postponement.
THE long-awaited trial of 62 people accused of involvement in the July 2021 unrest has been delayed until 2027 after five of the accused failed to resolve outstanding issues relating to their legal representation.
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The matter returned to the Durban High Court on Friday (September 11), following a postponement over the same issue in July. KZN National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara said the court heard that five of the accused were still addressing issues relating to their legal representation.
“The state was ready to proceed with the trial and state witnesses were present in court on that date. However, on that date, the court was advised that some of the accused persons had not settled their issues pertaining to their Legal Aid applications and legal representations.”
With the matter unable to proceed, the case was subsequently adjourned to August 23, 2027, when new trial dates will be arranged.
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The trial had initially been scheduled to start on July 20 this year and run until September 18.
The 62 accused face a raft of serious charges, including incitement to commit public violence, incitement to commit terrorism, conspiracy to commit public violence, conspiracy to commit murder, terrorism, sedition and public violence.
The charges stem from the widespread unrest and public violence that occurred in various parts of KZN during July 2021.
Ramkisson-Kara confirmed that the matter remains before the Durban High Court, with the accused expected to return to court on August 23, 2027.
Meanwhile, further trial dates have been set in the incitement case against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla at the Durban High Court.
The trial, which commenced on 10 November 2025, is scheduled to continue from October 26 to November 6, 2026.
Zuma-Sambudla faces charges of incitement to commit terrorism and two counts of incitement to commit public violence in relation to the July 2021 unrest, which claimed the lives of more than 300 people and resulted in billions of rands in damage to businesses.
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