The suspected unrest instigators face charges of conspiracy to commit public violence, incitement to commit public violence, and arson.

The head of Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Lesetja Senona, would not comment on any of the accused ahead of their Durban Magistrate's Court appearance, only saying that things were "unfolding".

Asked about Zuma's daughter, Dudu Zuma-Sambudla, Senona was also guarded: "You shall remember that a person has deposed an affidavit against the daughter of the former head of state. That investigation is continuing.

"At this stage, we don't want to divulge the status of the investigation. But once we have finalised the investigation, we will present our case to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to make a prosecutorial decision."

Zuma-Sambudla was vocal on Twitter during the 2021 unrest, often posting pictures of the destruction and carnage with the caption: "KZN we see you."

She also uploaded a now removed video of gunfire directed at a poster of President Cyril Ramaphosa during the height of the unrest.

News24