That's why we embarked on this investigation and why within the auspices of the evidence we received we made the findings and conclusions we did, including urging the police and National Prosecuting Authority to use these findings to instigate an investigation that will assist the country to unearth the identities of the primary instigators. Didn't President Ramaphosa say in July 2021 that security agencies had identified them? Do you have any reference to that? It was widely reported at the time. Didn't you ask him who they were? The president testified before the commission in April 2022 and he did not submit to the commission that intelligence or security agencies had identified the primary instigators. If he had identified them as far back as July 2021, why are the instigators not before the courts? Isn't this something you would have wanted to ask him? Perhaps, if you could share with me that information you say is in the public domain where the president said security agencies knew the identities of the primary instigators ... Wasn't the purpose of your inquiry to ensure we never have riots like this again? The purpose of our inquiry was guided by our terms of reference ... to understand what exactly was happening in July 2021. To ensure it never happens again? Absolutely Can we be sure of this if the primary instigators are still at large, harbouring the same motives? The recommendations and findings of the commission have raised concerns that the primary instigators have not been identified, and we urge the SAPS, the NPA and the security sector in general in terms of their constitutional mandate to strengthen their resolve in ensuring these primary instigators are unearthed. You found that the timing of the riots coincided with the incarceration of Zuma. Why didn't you make a direct link? We are driven by the evidence and the evidence before us did not make a direct link. Didn't a panel appointed by Ramaphosa in early 2022 find that Zuma's incarceration was a major factor in the riots? There's a big difference between his incarceration being a major factor and the primary instigators. Wasn't there enough evidence before you of political incitement to link them? There were intelligence reports from December 2020 up to July 2021 showing quite significant threats of unrest even prior to the announcement by the ConCourt on June 29 ordering Zuma's incarceration , that paint a picture of a volatile sociopolitical environment that posed serious risks to national security Many people might say your inquiry tells us nothing we didn't already know, and nothing we absolutely need to know? We have had many people who have said otherwise, and those people have read the report.

Source: Sunday Times