More deaths in riots in South Africa after Zuma incarceration: 2500 soldiers deployed | Abroad

In KwaZulu-Natal, the region where Zuma comes from and where the riots started, the death toll is 26. Rioters have looted shops and blocked roads with stones. Public transport is largely blocked and the transport of food and medicines is also blocked. Many shops, gas stations and government offices are closed.

The army will deploy some 2,500 troops to assist police in the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng regions, where the rioting is at its worst. The agents are outnumbered there and unable to prevent further riots. The army goes to important places such as airports.

According to the authorities, people are taking advantage of the unrest to commit crimes. Police Minister Bheki Cele lashed out at the rioters during a press conference. “Unfortunately or personal circumstances do not give anyone the right to loot, destroy, do as they please and break the law,” the minister said.

The riots started on Thursday because of Zuma’s incarceration. The 79-year-old politician has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for failing to cooperate in an investigation into corruption during his presidency. Despite these allegations, the former president is still popular among much of the population.

Zuma denies the allegations and initially refused to report to authorities. On Wednesday at midnight, he did so, just before the deadline that was imposed on him. Had he not done so before then, the police would arrest him. On Monday evening, a high court ruled that Zuma’s prison sentence remains in place.

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