Violence erupted in many parts of KwaZulu-Natal, in the wake of former-President Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment for contempt of court.
Metro Police remove debris blocking a road after a protest. Many protests have erupted across Durban since Friday. [Picture: IOL News]
UPDATE (12 July 2021 – 12:30): The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures to assist law enforcement agencies deployed in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal Provinces respectively to quell the unrest that has gripped both Provinces in the last few days. The deployment will commence as soon as all deployment processes are in place, a statement by the SANDF reads.
DURBAN – Residents have been urged to stay at home as violent protests flare up in Durban and other parts of KwaZulu-Natal in the wake of former President Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment. This comes as calls grow for military deployment in order to stabilise the volatile situation in the province.
“The eThekwini outer south is the most volatile area. It’s sad to see the state of affairs that we’re living in [and] Police officers are left to do nothing,” said Aidan David from the eThekwini outer south community police forum.
David echoed calls made by the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the South African Defence Force (SANDF). “We are calling on our President to declare our province a state of disaster and deploy SANDF to come and assist,” Nigel Ward, its president, said.
David said the deployment of the army is necessary because members of the South African Police Force (SAPS) have been outnumbered by protesters. He believes military deployment could help to restore stability in the province.
However, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula dismissed the idea of deploying the army in KwaZulu-Natal, saying that there is no war in the province.
“We have asked for assistance from the South African National Defence Force and the Minister is not hearing anything about it. We want some stability with regards to law abiding people versus the law. If we’re living in a lawless society, we’re gonna have lawlessness all over,” David said.
He added that “we’re only asking the army to stabilise [the situation] and let there be some order.”
David warned residents to stay at home and protect their families because “the Police definitely cannot manage. There’s nothing they can do [because] we are outnumbered”.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker confirmed that 37 suspects were arrested for the violence by Monday morning.
This is a developing story.
Live visuals coming from Point Rd Shoprite in Durban CBD. Non stop looting throughout the night into the morning. No police presence.
— Leanne Manas (@LeanneManas) July 12, 2021
(Visuals sped up) #ShutdownSA pic.twitter.com/E8E1liGELl
