Of all claims received, R12.6-billion has been paid out as of 15 November, with a target of settling 80% of claims up to R60-million by March 2022. (Photo by GUILLEM SARTORIO/AFP via Getty Images)
Police and prosecutors will focus on the planners, instigators and coordinators of the wave of looting and arson that swept KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng last week — and on the nearly 170 murders.
Although none of the 12 alleged “masterminds’’ behind the attacks, now classified as an attempted insurrection by government, have been arrested, at least three people are facing charges of inciting public violence and are in custody.
Last week Mail & Guardian reported that the government believed the wave of looting and arson was organised and aimed at forcing the state’s hand over the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma.
According to the justice and correctional services minister, Ronald Lamola, low level looters are unlikely to face jail sentences, and will instead have their cases fast-tracked using audio video links between eight prisons and 26 courts in the two provinces.
The nearly 4 000 looters arrested thus far are likely to be given community service and other non-custodial sentences in terms of restorative justice programmes to prevent further overcrowding in prisons.
On Wednesday, the deputy national director of public prosecutions, Rodney de Kock, said the state would not hesitate to prosecute those behind the attacks for terrorism.
De Kock told a parliamentary briefing that there was a need to “understand the seriousness of all of this” and that charges of treason or sedition may also be forthcoming.
The National Prosecuting Authority also appears to be highly aware of the potential that those behind the attacks may have supporters in the NPA.
National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi told parliament that they needed to ensure that prosecutors dealing with cases involving the masterminds of the attacks were not “compromised” and could be trusted to prosecute them efficiently.
Batohi said that although low level looters were likely to be given non-custodial sentences, the focus was on those behind the “attack on the people of this country” and those who coordinated it.
The pursuit of those “most responsible for what has happened in our country’’ would be “relentless” as the NPA and the police “move up the chain”, Bathoi said.
Thus far, authorities have confirmed that three people have been arrested for inciting and orchestrating the attacks and are awaiting bail applications.
None are understood to be among the 12 alleged masterminds of the attacks in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
On Tuesday, former Ukhozi FM DJ Ngizwe Mchunu was arrested and, after a brief court appearance the following day, was remanded in custody until 28 July, when he will make a bail application in the Randburg magistrate’s court.
Mchunu, who allegedly fled to Durban from Johannesburg by private jet when he became aware that police were looking for him, is viewed as a flight risk, according to NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga.
Mhaga said on Wednesday that Mchunu was being charged with incitement to commit public violence over his address to a press conference in Johannesburg shortly after Zuma’s arrest.
Mhaga said further charges against Mchunu might be added, but that at this stage they were limited to incitement.
The NPA would oppose bail for the former DJ because of the “‘ripple effect” of his comments, he said.
Patriotic Alliance West Rand leader Bruce Nimmerhout, who is understood to be the party’s candidate for Roodepoort, was arrested over allegedly circulating voice notes calling on people to participate in the looting.
Nimmerhout is also set to make a bail application.
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