The State intends to add terrorism charges to the rap sheets of 65 people charged in connection with the civil unrest that broke out in parts of South Africa in July 2021.

This emerged when the accused, with the exception of one, made a brief appearance in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Friday.

The State alleges that the accused formed part of a WhatsApp group that organised looting and blockading of roads after the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma in July 2021.

More than 350 deaths were reported as a result of the unrest, at least R50-billion in damages were recorded, and 150 000 thousand jobs were lost.

Prosecutor Yuri Gangai asked Magistrate Anand Maharaj for a postponement to enable the State to get authorisation from National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi for terrorism charges to be added.

The State intends to add the terrorism charges in terms of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Act.

In the event of a successful prosecution, the accused could be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Gangai also undertook to present a 300 000-page indictment against the accused at their next appearance.

The case was postponed to November.