A girl carries a basket containing food items on her head that was looted from the Lotsoho Mall in Katlehong township, East of Johannesburg, on July 12, 2021. Several shops are damaged and cars burnt in Johannesburg, following a night of violence. Police are on the scene trying to control further protests. It is unclear if this is linked to sporadic protests following the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
Bringing you verified breaking news and updates on Monday 12 July, from violent protests and looting around South Africa.
A girl carries a basket containing food items on her head that was looted from the Lotsoho Mall in Katlehong township, East of Johannesburg, on July 12, 2021. Several shops are damaged and cars burnt in Johannesburg, following a night of violence. Police are on the scene trying to control further protests. It is unclear if this is linked to sporadic protests following the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma. (Photo by Phill Magakoe / AFP)
Protest and looting updates for South Africa – latest news for Monday 12 July
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has told South Africans ‘the army will be sent in’ to quell the violent riots that have gripped both KZN and Gauteng, in the aftermath of Jacob Zuma’s incarceration. The SANDF deployment will take place this week, and it is hoped that our collective of soldiers can help restore law and order to each region.
The sheer scale of destruction across these two provinces has been immense. Malls, stores, and shopping centres have all been ransacked – and the unrest has even forced vaccination centres to close down. There is fear on the streets of South Africa, as thousands continue to loot and steal during these lawless protests.
The President moved to condemn the scenes of violence on Monday, reminding those involved in looting that there will be criminal consequences for many people over the coming days. Several people have also lost their lives as a result of these riots, and the fatal consequences were acknowledged by a visibly emotional Ramaphosa.
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has suspended payments at cash paypoints due to the escalating unrest in the country.
In several parts of the country key infrastructure like national roads have been affected, slowing down the transportation of goods and services that keep our economy running. Property has been destroyed. Cars have been stoned. People have been intimidated and threatened, and some have even been hurt.
In a statement released on Monday, SASSA said the Cash In Transit (CIT) industry informed them that they will not be providing any cash delivery services to SASSA cash pay points until further notice.
“Beneficiaries are urged to remain calm and await communication as to when the payment at pay points will resume. SASSA beneficiaries are reminded that their cards can be used to purchase goods or receive cash from merchants or bank ATMs.
Police on Monday said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two people killed in Inanda and Imbilo in KwaZulu-Natal.
Police ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said six people have lost their lives since the start of the unrest.
“Police are investigating circumstances surrounding the deaths of 4 people in Gauteng and two people killed in Inanda and Imbilo in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has warned that should the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) be deployed to support the police as they battle against protesters in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, his party will involve themselves against government.
The EFF condemned “incompetent and useless” President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, saying that he has failed to handle the situation that has led to widespread violence and looting after supporters of incarcerated former President Jacob Zuma began rioting over the weekend.
Several roads in Kwazulu-Natal remain closed on Monday and police remain on high alert due to the sporadic violent protests in the country by the so-called supporters of former president Jacob Zuma.
The Brookside Mall in Pietermaritzburg is on fire on Monday morning while the so-called Zuma supporters continue looting.
In videos being shared on Twitter, protesters can be seen running away from the mall with stolen goods on trolleys and on bakkies. This is despite big clouds of smoke seen rising from the mall.
The highways leading to Pietermaritzburg are closed for now.
Police could not yet provide any information as yet.
According to Mpumalanga Broadcasting TV a fireman who was at the scene attending to the fire at the Brookside Mall said on Monday morning that while firefighters battled the blaze, people were emptying the shelves.