The death toll from riots that began over the weekend in South Africa rose to 45 on Tuesday.
Protests have broken out amid the jailing of former South Africa president, Jacob Zuma. President Cyril Ramaphosa has mobilized the army — sending out 2,500 South African soldiers in an effort to stop the rampant looting — but, nonetheless, the violence has continued.
Mass looting breaks out in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/iV7seQvgz2
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 13, 2021
Some 800 people were arrested. According to the New York Times “the unrest” lead to tens of millions of dollars in damage.
Police reportedly used rubber bullets against the looters. This video shows some of the aftermath of the looting.
ruptly video of police shooting rubber bullets and walking through looted malls
— pine_tree_riots (@pine_tree_riots) July 13, 2021
Thus far, the rampant looting has thus far proven too difficult for the police to control. The following video shows multiple persons trying to dismantle a metal fence protecting a mobile phone store:
#Southafrica -This was Overport yesterday pic.twitter.com/8lZBM1zEQD
— PALS (@RZ123ZR_) July 13, 2021
According to local news, crowds in Johannesburg were looting everything there is to loot, including furniture.
JUST IN – Every single store in the Jabulani Mall near Johannesburg has been looted. Reports and videos of riots at more malls in parts of South Africa.pic.twitter.com/t5DL96EVIM
— Disclose.tv 🚨 (@disclosetv) July 12, 2021
The crowds set fires to police buildings, malls, even a hospital.
China Mall in South Africa being looted and now burning in fire. pic.twitter.com/nCuwlD71oU
— 🧢מאק (@beingrealmac) July 13, 2021
hospital on fire #SouthAfrica #ShutdownSA pic.twitter.com/vDcNQUPOfW
— pine_tree_riots (@pine_tree_riots) July 12, 2021
The poor were not the only people that participated in the looting. This video apparently shows a looter driving away in a Mercedes:
Meanwhile in South Africa, people are driving Mercedes and looting groceries. pic.twitter.com/gJ3cVEs9p5
— 🧢מאק (@beingrealmac) July 13, 2021