Army deployed to quell violence in South Africa as Jacob Zuma faces trial

219 HELD AS CRIMINALS WRECK HAVOC TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE ANGER

South Africa will deploy soldiers to quell violence that erupted in the wake of former president Jacob Zuma’s jailing, the military said yesterday, after days of riots and looting left at least six people dead.

Disturbances worsened as Zuma challenged his 15-month prison term in the country’s top court after weekend unrest by pro-Zuma protesters in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng, where the country’s largest city Johannesburg is located.

Police said 219 arrests had been made, as opportunistic criminals appeared to take advantage of the anger some feel over Zuma’s incarceration to steal and cause destruction.

Zuma, 79, was sentenced late last month for defying a constitutional court order to give evidence at an inquiry investigating high-level corruption during his nine years in office until 2018.

Supporters cry foul

Any confrontation with soldiers risks fuelling claims by Zuma and his supporters that they are victims of a politically-motivated crackdown by his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Zuma, 79, was sentenced late last month for defying a constitutional court order to give evidence at an inquiry investigating high-level corruption during his nine years in office until 2018.

The decision to jail him resulted from legal proceedings seen as a test of post-apartheid South Africa’s ability to enforce the rule of law, including against powerful politicians.

Appeal against conviction

In a virtual hearing, Zuma’s counsel asked the constitutional court yesterday to rescind his jail term, citing a rule that judgements can be reconsidered if made in the absence of the affected person.

Legal experts say Zuma’s chances of success are slim.

Malls set on fire

Meanwhile, footage shot by local TV channels yesterday showed a mall in Pietermaritzburg in KZN on fire, with a nearby highway closed to prevent further violence. Another mall in Vosloorus, Gauteng, was set alight amid vandalism and rioting, according to the TimesLIVE website.

Government intelligence agency NatJOINTS said the bodies of four people had been found — at least two of them with gunshot wounds — in Gauteng.

Two deaths had occurred in KZN, and all six were being investigated.

Ramaphosa said on Sunday the violence was damaging efforts to rebuild the economy after the Covid-19 pandemic.

AFP Several shops were damaged and cars burnt in Johannesburg, following a night of violence. Police reached the scene trying to control further protests.

AP People flee from police as they carry goods while looting and vandalising the Lotsoho Mall in Katlehong township.