Xinhua News Agency, Johannesburg, July 15 (Reporter Jing Jing) The Acting Minister of the Presidential Office of South Africa, Kumbuzo Entshaveni, said on the 15th that the riots caused by the arrest and imprisonment of former President Zuma had caused 117 deaths.

  Entshaveni said at a press conference that day that as of now, 91 people have died in the riots in KwaZulu-Natal, 26 people have died in Gauteng, and a total of 2,203 people have been arrested.

The authorities have a list of 12 persons suspected of planning the riot and arrested one of them.

  Entshaveni said that the current situation in Gauteng is improving, and the number of looting of shops has been greatly reduced, but robberies still occur from time to time in KwaZulu-Natal.

Regarding the problem of protesters blocking the main roads of Durban, South Africa's largest port, Entshaveni said that police have been sent to escort the transport convoy to ensure the smooth delivery of oxygen and medicines to major cities.

  Zuma surrendered to the police for contempt of court on the 7th and his supporters started demonstrations in his hometown of Kwazulu-Natal on the 9th, demanding the release of Zuma.

The protests subsequently developed into violent robberies and arson.

South African President Ramaphosa sent troops on the 12th to assist the police in maintaining order and quelling the riots.