Image: EMMANUEL CROSET / AFP
Faizel Patel – 13/07/2021
Unrest and looting continues throughout the country on Monday night and early Tuesday morning despite President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for calm and stability “without any delay” as the riots continue to erupt across the country.
What was first thought to be sporadic protesting in support of jailed former president Jacob Zuma, quickly escalated into mass criminal action that’s flared up sporadically in parts of KZN and Gauteng.
Ramaphosa addressed the nation after more than three days of disruption saying the theft and violence is criminal and not political.
Scores of shops have been looted, trucks have been burnt and pillaged
The Lenasia CPF’s Mohammad Bismillah says the area was relatively calm with a few minor incidents reported
“Alhamdulillah shukr we didn’t have really any major incidents. We had lots of groupings of people trying to gather and break into places.We responded and managed to contain the situation.”
At the same time in Pietermaritzburg in KZN remains volatile after overnight unrests.
Speaking to Radio Islam, resident Hasina Majid says protestors are intent on continuing to loot and causing harm.
“Communities have mobilised operating in shifts to protect themselves and the infrastructure and police services still remain stretched since. The army did definitely come through yesterday, we were not sure of how many has been deployed.”
Durban also remains a hotspot for looting.
Ml Ahmed Akoo says the situation is KZN remains very tense.
“What has unfolded over the last 48 hours has been absolutely shocking and unbelievable. So many businesses have been looted, businesses have been burnt and the loss of livelihood is really, really heartbreaking. The situation right now is still a state of fear and panic, people are confined to their homes, there’s not much movement on the road.”
With at least 10 people now confirmed dead, police say 489 others have been arrested across Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng, as the authorities try to get a handle on the widespread looting.
Listen to the interviews with Hasina Majid, Mohammad Bismillah and Faizel Patel
Listen to the comments by Ml Ahmed Akoo
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