Zuma's imprisonment: manifestations of violence in KwaZulu-Natal and Johannesburg

Supporters of Jacob Zuma burn tires and block the road in the Jeppestown district of Johannesburg on July 11, 2021. AFP - LUCA SOLA

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In South Africa, it is this Monday, July 12 that the highest court of the country must reconsider the sentence of the former president Jacob Zuma.

He was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of justice and was imprisoned Wednesday, July 7 in a prison in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

The supporters of the former president sparked clashes in the region, but also in Johannesburg.

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Tires burned, roads cut, fires and looting ... Much violence has broken out in recent days in KwaZulu-Natal first, the province of origin of Jacob Zuma where demonstrations of discontent erupted after his imprisonment.

The national road - 15 km from Escourt prison where the former president is located - was notably blocked by a few dozen of his supporters and 23 trucks were set on fire.

Violence also took place in Johannesburg where in several poor neighborhoods banned gatherings degenerated into opportunistic looting and clashes with the police.

“ 

We saw a lot of people who came out of nowhere, destroying stores, looting everything and burning cars.

I saw the police shoot people with rubber bullets,

 ”said a resident of the Malvern district, contacted by RFI.  

These clashes are however well below the uprising promised by the faithful of Jacob Zuma who denounce what they consider to be

harassment against the former head of state

.

Saturday July 10, President Cyril Ramaphosa called for calm.

The police remain mobilized in these two regions, while waiting for the Constitutional Court to reconsider the verdict of Jacob Zuma on Monday.

►Also read: The imprisonment of Zuma hailed by many figures of South African activism

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  • South Africa

  • Jacob Zuma