Zuma jailed: Arrests as protests spread in S/Africa

SOUTH AFRICA

Dozens of people have been arrested in South Africa as violence spreads following the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma.

Pro-Zuma protesters first took to the streets after the 79-year-old handed himself to authorities on Wednesday to begin a 15-month sentence.

But police now say criminals are taking advantage of the chaos, which spread from his home province of KwaZuluNatal to Johannesburg, in Gauteng.

More than 60 people have been arrested.

On Sunday, protesters armed with sticks, golf clubs and branches were seen marching through Johannesburg’s central business district.

The night before, some 300 people had barricaded a major highway in Johannesburg, according to NatJOINTS, the national intelligence body. Images showed buildings and cars on fire.

About 800 people were also involved in an incident in which one police officer was shot in Alexandra, a township in Johannesburg - South Africa’s economic hub. Two other officers were hurt.

Police also responded to reports of looting in both Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal.

It is unclear if they are linked to the pro-Zuma protests, with KwaZuluNatal police spokesman Jay Naicker telling news agency Reuters officers had seen “criminals or opportunistic individuals trying to enrich themselves during this period”.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa appealed for calm on Sunday evening, acknowledging that “there are those who may be hurt and angry”, but adding “there can never be any justification for such violent, destructive and disruptive actions”.

The jailing of a former president is unprecedented in South Africa, which has been gripped by Zuma’s legal turmoil.

He was sentenced for contempt of court, after failing to attend an inquiry into corruption during his presidency.

Zuma denies corruption and has not co-operated with the legal process. (BBC)