More than 500 people appeared in various courts in the West Rand district for alleged incidents of public violence, looting, and burning of infrastructure in Soweto, bringing the total number of those facing prosecution to 682.

This was revealed by the Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in a statement on Monday.

"They are facing charges ranging from public violence, theft, malicious injury to property, the contravention of the Disaster Management Act, housebreaking with intent to commit an offence and robbery," NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said.

The suspects are between the ages of 18 and 72.

According to the NPA, most of them were remanded until the hearing of their bail applications, which will take place between this week and 21 August 2021.

"... Bail was fixed for the 20 of them after careful consideration of each case and the merits thereof. The bail amounts vary from R1 000 to R5 000 each," Mjonondwane added.

The NPA said it continues to deal with the influx of dockets related to the past week's unrest and is, "... expecting numbers of people that face prosecution to increase as law enforcement is currently embarking on reclaiming the loot from alleged thieves."

The country experienced a wave of unrest in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

Scores of malls were looted and some buildings were so damaged to the extent that there was nothing left to salvage following the days of looting.

Police Minister Bheki Cele says that they have a list of 12 instigators of the current unrest and looting in South Africa, News24 reported.

Cele said on Monday: "There are five people arrested now, two have been in court, they did not get bail. One was from Westonaria and the other in Roodepoort. One lady is yet to appear in court, another was arrested and now a fifth has been arrested today and they have not appeared in court."