Protests erupted in the South African provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng following the arrest of former President Jacob Zuma.
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons, copyright World Economic Forum, taken by Matthew Jordan
By Liz Lewis ’22
Managing Editor Of Content
Last week, South Africa saw its most violent civil unrest since the end of apartheid in 1994. The South African provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng launched into a state of disruption after former President Jacob Zuma began his prison sentence on July 8. Zuma, a longtime controversial figure in South African politics whose presidential term spanned from 2009-2018, will serve a sentence of 15 months for contempt of court. The violent protests, looting and rioting have left 337 dead — 79 in Gauteng and 258 in KwaZulu-Natal — as last reported on July 22 by Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, the minister of small business development.
Riots first erupted in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s home province, in protest of his arrest for refusing to comply with an investigation of his alleged corruption while in office. The protesters blocked off two major highways and quickly turned their attention towards retail centers and shopping malls in the area. As the unrest spread, it grew from a specific protest of Zuma’s arrest into a more generalized expression of anger and dissent from those left impoverished in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.
Alongside several other African countries, South Africa is currently combating a third wave of COVID-19 cases. The nation has the highest number of cases on the continent, with 2,377,823 total cases and 69,775 deaths as of June 1. South Africa also has a record-high unemployment rate of 32.6 percent as of June 1, with over half of the country living below the national poverty line. Much of the rampant socio-economic inequality stems from the sustained legacy of apartheid and has been exacerbated by the pandemic.
After a week of protests and looting, the government deployed 25,000 troops to quell the unrest. In addition to the 337 dead, over 2,500 arrests have been reported. Neil Gopal, CEO of the South African Property Owners Association, estimated a total cost of well over 20 billion Rand ($1.39 billion) in property damage.
On Sunday, July 25, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation, announcing the country will be easing COVID-19 restrictions and speaking on the recent violence. He also introduced a relief package to assist with national recovery from the riots and coronavirus wave, including monthly welfare of 350 Rand ($24) for those in poverty. In his speech, Ramaphosa maintained a commitment to “law and order,” saying anyone who engages with violence “will face consequences” from law enforcement. Still, Ramaphosa expressed these relief measures are meant to address the root issue of the current scarcity. “No country can expect its economy to grow, or to live in peace and harmony, while many of its citizens remain marginalised, hungry and excluded,” he said.
As investigation into the protests continues, Ramaphosa said further arrests should be expected. Troops will also remain at hotspots to prevent further unrest.