Staff Reporter
A 40-year-old man accused of instigating the violent protests and looting that rocked South Africa recently has appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court following his arrest in the Free State.
Phineas Letsoalo, aged 40, made his appearance on Wednesday facing charges relating to incitement to commit public violence.
He was remanded in custody and is due back in court on 18 August for a formal bail application.
Letsoalo was arrested on Monday by members of the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State Unit, Free State Crime Intelligence and the Tactical Response Team.
“In an intelligence-led investigation, the team managed to trace one of the alleged instigators in the recent violent protests, looting of businesses and destruction of infrastructure,” Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said in a statement on Wednesday.
South Africa recently experienced a period of unrest that saw days of looting, damage to infrastructure and loss of life.
Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal were the most affected provinces.
Parliament previously heard 11 suspected instigators had been arrested and were behind bars.