ZUMA UNREST STILL TAKING PLACE

The looting continues without respite in Durban as mobs target industrial warehouses, while the police and army are nowhere to be seen. That’s the latest report by News24 relating to the Zuma unrest riots.

This follows despite a public address by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night calling for peace. The help of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been enlisted to assist the local police.

Looting started over the weekend, when supporters of former President Jacob Zumba protested over his recent imprisonment. Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in jail for contempt of court proceedings.

In a virtual hearing on Monday, Zuma's counsel asked the constitutional court to rescind his jail terms, citing a rule that judgment can be reconsidered if made in the absence of the affected person or containing a patent error, reports Reuters. But legal experts say Zuma's chances of success are slim.

The looting soon turned violent when several buildings, shops and even entire shopping malls were looted and then set on fire. Images of looters helping themselves to big screen TVs, camping equipment, lounge suites and more were seen on TV, online sites and social media. The unrest spread to Johannesburg, where the looting continued.

Two people have been reported killed. News24 further reports that the situation in Durban remains tense and with police resources stretched, residents have taken up arms.

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