More than 70 killed in riots in South Africa, deployment of 25,000 soldiers

Cape Town – Fierce riots have sparked in South Africa over the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma. The riots have so far claimed more than 70 lives and caused extensive damage to property. The media has stated that there has been so much discontent and violence for the first time since the 1994 coup in South frica.

Jacob Zuma, South Africa‘s president from 2009 to 2018, has been charged with corruption. The Supreme Court has sentenced him to 15 months in jail for not cooperating in the investigation into the case. Last week, Jacob Zuma warned that he would not surrender. However, 79-year-old Zuma appeared before the authorities after police warned him of his arrest. This is the first time in South Africa that a former president has been jailed.

Even before Jacob Zuma went to prison, his supporters had begun to take an aggressive stance. A human chain was set up in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng before Zuma was arrested. Protests erupted after the former president was forced to go to jail, sparking widespread protests, violence and arson in both provinces. Several malls, factories, shops, and vehicles in both provinces have been set on fire in the last five days.

So far, 72 people have been killed and hundreds injured in violence in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces. Security forces have arrested more than 1,200 people in connection with the violence and arson. At present, 2,500 troops have been deployed in the two provinces. However, the number is proving to be insufficient due to the spread of violence in other provinces, and the government has indicated that it will deploy 25,000 troops in the next few days.

Although Zuma’s imprisonment has been the major factor in the riots, analysts say there were other factors as well. The removal of Jacob Zuma from the presidency has created instability in the ruling party. New President Cyril Ramaphosa has failed to find a solution. In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, South Africa’s economy has slowed down, and poverty and unemployment have increased. The media has claimed that Zuma’s arrest sparked the outburst.arrest

Meanwhile, citizens of Indian descent are also being targeted in riots in South Africa. Against this backdrop, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has contacted South African leaders and appealed to them to look after the safety of Indians.