Johannesburg – The alleged perpetrators of the unrests that ravaged Gauteng since Monday, 11 July 2021 appeared in various courts within the Gauteng Local Division (GLD) yesterday, 13 July 2021.
As per instruction from the national office of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for Directors of Public Prosecutions (DPPs) to allocate these matters to experienced prosecutors that will be working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to guide investigations into these unrest cases, the NPA in the GLD has made inroads regarding several dockets that were brought to the various lower courts of the division as follows:
Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court: 18 dockets from Jeppe, Cleveland, Sandringham, Hillbrow, Yeoville, Booysens and Johannesburg Central SAPS were placed on the roll.
A total number of 111 accused persons facing charges ranging from public violence, housebreaking with intent to commit an offence, theft, contravention of the Disaster Management Act, robbery with aggravating circumstances and possession of suspected stolen items.
All accused were remanded in custody to various dates ranging from 19 July to 27 July 2021 for further investigations and possible bail applications.
Germiston Magistrates’ Court: Five dockets from Germiston SAPS with a total number of ten accused were received.
Two of the dockets were not placed on the roll due to insufficient evidence.
Three dockets were enrolled with five accused facing charges ranging from theft, attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearm.
The attempted murder charge relates to an incident wherein police officers were shot at whilst attending to a public violence protest in the vicinity of Germiston.
They will remain in custody till 20 July 2021 and 01 September 2021, as investigations continue.
Alexandra Magistrates’ Court: One docket from Alexandra SAPS, emanating from the alleged looting at Pan African Mall was enrolled with a total number of 18 accused persons, facing charges ranging from public violence, theft and contravention of the Disaster Management Act.
All accused were remanded in custody to 21 July 2021 for further investigations and possible bail applications.
Tembisa Magistrates’ Court: One docket with three accused was enrolled with charges emanating from an incident wherein the accused stormed a garage in the area of Tembisa and forcefully took items and cash. They were charged with public violence and armed robbery.
The case was postponed to 20 July 2021 for further investigations and possible bail applications.
“The NPA views all these cases in a serious manner and will continue to prosecute those that seek to undermine the rule of law and the safety and security of South African citizens” said Advocate Andrew Chauke, DPP in the GLD.
Also read:
DA to charge Zuma children and Malema for inciting violence on social media
Watch: Dramatic scenes as a baby is thrown from burning building
Watch: Zuma’s children show support for their dad and criticises Ramaphosa leadership
SA falls into a state of lawlessness as protests and looting continues
72 die, 1 234 arrested in KZN, Gauteng lootings
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa. To Subscribe to Sunday World, click here.
Sunday World
