South Africa opens landmark trial over deadly 2021 unrest

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Looters outside a shopping center alongside a burning barricade in Durban, South Africa, July 12, 2021. /CFP

Nearly five years after South Africa's deadliest unrest since the end of apartheid, the trial of 62 people accused of orchestrating the July 2021 violence is set to begin in the Durban High Court on Monday.

The accused face charges including incitement to commit public violence, terrorism, sedition and conspiracy to commit murder. They remain free on strict bail conditions. Proceedings were delayed last week after several defendants appeared without legal representation, prompting the court to postpone the start of the long-awaited trial.

The unrest erupted after former President Jacob Zuma was jailed for contempt of court, triggering days of widespread looting and violence across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The violence claimed 354 lives, caused an estimated $2.8 billion in economic losses and left thousands of businesses damaged or destroyed.

Prosecutors allege the group coordinated and incited the unrest through multiple WhatsApp groups, accusations the defendants deny.

The trial is scheduled to run in two sessions through September.

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