South African Govt Must Probe Riot Deaths - Amnesty International
Amnesty International has called on the South African government to investigate the the deaths of hundreds of people killed during a week-long series of riots and looting in the country's KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces.
Shenilla Mohamed, Amnesty International's South Africa executive director said on July 22, 2021: "With the number of people who died during the looting and violent unrest now known to be 215, the authorities must reveal what they knew and when in the days leading to the violence which unnecessarily cost many people's lives. The Minister of State Security is on record saying that they had information and that they passed it on to the Minister of Police but failed to act. The National Security Council must take full responsibility for the loss of lives and violence that put many more lives at risk."
Violence erupted when former president Jacob Zuma began serving a 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court over failing to appear before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into state capture. Looters vandalised shopping malls, other retail outlets, businesses, factories and infrastructure with over 1,000 people arrested as a result.
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South Africa:
Suspended ANC Members Carl Niehaus, Andile Lungisa On WhatsApp Group for Planning Riots
Daily Maverick, 29 July 2021
A WhatsApp group has emerged as the focal point for the eight days of riots and looting that claimed more than 300 lives and ripped R50bn out of a struggling economy. Read more »
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South Africa:
Govt Must Investigate Deaths During Riots - Amnesty International
AI London, 22 July 2021
Authorities failed to deal with lethal unrest triggered by former president Jacob Zuma's imprisonment Communities forced to protect themselves, with residents putting up barricades… Read more »
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South Africa:
Civil Unrest Death Toll Tops 330 While Zuma Heads Back to Prison Peacefully
Daily Maverick, 22 July 2021
Former president Jacob Zuma's stint outside prison to attend the funeral of his brother was without incident, authorities confirmed on Thursday afternoon. The situation in… Read more »
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South Africa:
Violence Was an Uprising of Elites, Not of the People
The Conversation Africa, 22 July 2021
From time to time, South Africa is rudely reminded that its past continues to make its present and future difficult. It does not always recognise this reality when it sees it. Read more »
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South Africa:
Jailed Jacob Zuma Permitted to Wear a Suit and Attend Brother's Funeral
Daily Maverick, 22 July 2021
Jacob Zuma, who is serving a 15-month sentence at Estcourt Correctional Centre, travelled home to Nkandla after being granted compassionate leave to attend his younger brother's… Read more »
InFocus
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As chaos unfolds on the streets of South Africa, analyses abound of what the drivers of the unrest are. Some point to criminality, others to a political assault on the government ... Read more »
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Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has called for the urgent restoration of order, peace and stability in South Africa and the full respect for the ... Read more »
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This past week, chaos erupted on the streets of KwaZulu-Natal province, spilling over to economic capital Gauteng province. While many experts attribute these actions to poverty, ... Read more »
Children stand at the door of a looted shop in Alexandra, Johannesburg.