Trial of July 2021 riots alleged instigator adjourned to September – SABC Information

The trial of alleged instigator of the July 2021  unrest, Bonginkosi Khanyile has been adjourned to the 29th of September for the State to lead further evidence. The trial in the Durban Regional Court started this week with the State introducing its evidence through videos captured during the July 2021 riots.

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The trial of alleged July 2021 unrest instigator Bonginkosi Khanyile has adjourned to the 29 September for further evidence. Mlondi Radebe reports. pic.twitter.com/YNgj7Kk9zq

— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 11, 2025

Billions of rands in losses were caused by people who burnt and looted shops in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng.

Khanyile, who was supported by former President Jacob Zuma in court, is facing charges of inciting violence and being in contravention of the Disaster Management Act. It is alleged Khanyile encouraged some people to go on the rampage until Zuma was released from prison for being in contempt of court.

[COMING UP] MK Party Leader, Jacob Zuma attends trial of alleged July 2021 unrest instigator, Bonginkosi Khanyile.#UpdateAtNoon #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/11Z1HsRxwJ

— SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) July 11, 2025

“The trial on this matter began on Monday, and it was set down today, the 11th of July. The State, up to this point, led the evidence of five witnesses. The matter has been adjourned for a date towards the end of September. It has been set up for two periods, the first period is the week of the 29th of September and it will come back, on the last week of October,” says National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Regional spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara.

Meanwhile, the NPA says 274 cases which were registered regarding the riots were successfully prosecuted.

Ramkisson-Kara says they are making progress.

“With regard to the cases, some of the cases went to the lower courts and the charges were of possession of firearms, suspicion of stolen items and malicious damage to property. We have convictions on those cases. In terms of the instigators, we have successful finalisation which was the case of Mdumiseni Zuma, who was sentenced to 12 years for inciting public violence. The NPA is fast-tracking the cases that have made their way to court,” she adds.

VIDEO | July 2021 unrest | Khanyile addresses supporters outside court