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“I stand here against the vandals and hooligan,” the 32-year-old said of the week-long riots and looting sparked by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma. The series of riots has killed at least 72 people.
Also read: South Africa Riots Like a Battlefield, 72 People Killed, 200 Malls Looted
Motati is one of dozens of residents who have come out to fight the unrest that has rocked the impoverished region of South Africa.
“When I saw the destruction… I cried, seeing how this all happened,” Motati was quoted as saying AP, Thursday (15/7/2021). “In the end, we will fight because of this. Our economy will be completely damaged.”
South African police and soldiers on Wednesday struggled to bring order to impoverished areas of Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu-Natal provinces that were hit by the unrest and looting sparked by Zuma’s imprisonment last week.
According to the government, more than 200 violent incidents occurred overnight.
Authorities dramatically increased the number of troops deployed to 25,000 to assist police in restoring order. This was conveyed by Defense Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Wednesday night.
The minister’s statement was a sign that broad patrols may be needed to prevent new attacks by gangs of poor youth.
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