South Africa, 117 Dead in the Worst Civil Unrest Since 1994

South Africa is experiencing its “biggest civil upheaval” since the collapse of white rule in 1994, with violent riots sweeping the country. More than 117 people have died as a result of the unrest, and hundreds of businesses have been destroyed.

What is the origin of the aggression?

After former President Jacob Zuma was imprisoned, violent protests erupted across the country. He surrendered last week to begin a 15-month jail term for criminal contempt.

What resulted in Zuma’s imprisonment?

Zuma has been summoned by the court to testify before an anti-corruption commission investigating fraud allegations dating back to his presidency. Contempt of court charges were filed against him as a result of his failure to testify before the panel. Mr. Zuma has been awarded by the south african court a 15 months of imprisonment.

Zuma’s Supporters see it as an attack on the ‘Zulu’ ethnic community

Zuma’s popularity originates in largely from his reputation as a champion of the people during his nine years in office, and also the fact that some regard his imprisonment as an attack on the Zulu community, the country’s biggest ethnic group.

In his native province of KwaZulu-Natal, his fans torched tyres and blocked highways, believing he is the victim of a political sorcery. The protests grew into a huge uprising, with violent demonstrations taking place in various provinces.

Unemployment and poverty exacerbating the situation

Although Zuma’s detention was a major catalyst for the violence, other deeper causes include chronic poverty, injustice, and unemployment among the majority.

Hundreds of stores and several outlets have been wiped bare due to the suffering that remains 27 years after apartheid’s end.

According to the South African government’s statistics on employment, approximately half of the country’s 3.5 Cr. adults are poor, and young men are largely afflicted by the unemployment.

“South Africa is still a two-speed economy with one of the highest in the world inequality ratios.”

The World Bank

Involved perpetrators

Criminal gangs, according to the police, have taken full advantage of the prolonged uproar over Zuma’s detention. They are infiltrating the demonstrators with the intention of breaking into outlets, warehouses, and shops. As  the agitation grew violent, around 1,200 accused members of such gangs have been apprehended.

Protests reveal serious schisms within the ruling African National Congress (ANC)

The unrest that has gripped South Africa symbolizes the country’s governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), being torn apart.

Experts believe that if the ANC leadership had prevented Zuma’s detention, the current issue may have been avoided.

Some members of the party, who are seen as Zuma supporters, have been accused of inflaming the situation with incendiary statements.

Recently a social media account with the name of a a senior ANC leader, “Duduzile,” has consistently shared images and videos of riots on the microblogging site, Twitter. The social media handle used the right winged rallying cry “Amandla!” (Power!).

The ANC has promised to take disciplinary measures, If it is discovered that Duduzile’s Twitter account was truly operated by her.

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