By At least 45 people have died in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng because of the protests, looting and public violence that has gripped the regions since former President Jacob Zuma was imprisoned last week.
GAUTENG
David Makhura, the Premier of Gauteng, announced that 19 people have died in the province, on Tuesday when addressing the media at the site of a stampede that claimed the lives of 10 people at a mall in Meadowlands, Soweto.
“The number of those who have died has jumped to 19 as a result of the 10 that died in the stampede in this shopping centre here during looting in the late afternoon the police discovered in the evening,” said Makhura, according to SABC News.
The Premier added that a Metro Police officer from the EMPD in Ekurhuleni was also killed after being shot.
“The gains we have made in revitalising our economy are being reversed by the destruction and shutting down of businesses,” said Makhura, calling for calm and peace in the province.
KWAZULU-NATAL
The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikalala, said that at least 26 people have died since the unrest started during a virtual press conference.
“These episodes of violence are inflicting many lasting scars. The latest fatalities confirmed by the security cluster in KZN are standing at 26,” said Zikalala. “…these were people that were killed in stampedes as protestors ran riot.”
The Premier said law enforcement agencies in the province have arrested at least 187 suspects.
757 ARRESTED IN GAUTENG AND KZN
Minister of Police Bheki Cele, said 757 people – 304 in KZN and 453 in Gauteng – have been arrested, thus far, when speaking at the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster briefing on Tuesday.
“South Africa is a democratic state that is governed by the Constitution. As the President stated in his address to the nation last night, 12 July 2021 ‘our Constitution guarantees the right of every person to protest, to organise, and to engage in free expression and free association,’” said Cele.
The Minister added that the right of engaging in peaceful protest comes with the responsibility to not infringe upon the rights of others.
“No amount of unhappiness or personal circumstances from our people, gives the right to anyone to loot, vandalise and do as they please and break the law,” added Cele. “We call on communities to exercise restraint in dealing with the situation and above all ensure that innocent civilians are not harmed.”
