July 2021 unrest case moves closer to trial as court sets dates for 62 accused

July 2021 unrest case moves closer to trial as court sets dates for 62 accused

Nearly five years after KwaZulu-Natal was rocked by some of the worst unrest in democratic South Africa, the long-delayed case against those accused of instigating the violence is finally heading to trial.

On Monday, the Durban High Court confirmed that the case involving 62 accused linked to the July 2021 unrest has been certified trial-ready. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the matter will be heard in two extended phases, starting on 20 July 2026 and running through to 18 September 2026.

Charges linked to a dark chapter

The accused face a raft of serious charges, including conspiracy and incitement to commit public violence, terrorism, sedition and conspiracy to commit murder. All are currently out on bail or released on warning.

The charges stem from the widespread chaos that engulfed KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng after former president Jacob Zuma was arrested for contempt of court. His jailing, following his refusal to comply with a Constitutional Court order, sparked a chain reaction that quickly spiralled into mass looting, arson and deadly violence.

More than 350 people lost their lives during the week-long unrest, while shopping centres, warehouses and factories were torched or ransacked. Economists later estimated the damage to the economy at over R50 billion losses many businesses, particularly small traders, never recovered from.

Social media under the spotlight

One of the most closely watched linked cases involves Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who faces multiple counts of incitement to terrorism and public violence. The state alleges that her social media activity played a role in fuelling unrest in its earliest hours.

During a previous court appearance, social media law expert Emma Sadleir testified that posts from Zuma-Sambudla’s X account circulated rapidly through WhatsApp groups used to coordinate looting and blockades. She told the court the MK Party MP posted dozens of messages on the morning the unrest erupted, including footage of burning trucks on the N3.

Zuma-Sambudla has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Why this trial still matters

For many South Africans, the July 2021 unrest remains an open wound, a moment when the country appeared frighteningly close to the edge. Online reaction to the trial dates has been mixed, with some welcoming long-awaited accountability, while others question why justice has taken so long.

As the countdown to trial begins, the case is likely to reignite debates about political accountability, the power of social media, and how fragile public order can be when trust in institutions breaks down.