6 dead in riots in South Africa after jail of ex-leader Jacob Zuma

JOHANNESBURG Riots sparked by the imprisonment of former South African President Jacob Zuma escalated on Monday as Johannesburg’s malls were looted, main roads were blocked with burning tires and police and army struggled to contain the violence.

The unrest began last week in KwaZulu-Natal province after Zuma was jailed for contempt of court. What started as a small-scale blockade of roads in Zuma’s home region has intensified and spread to Gauteng, the most populous province in South Africa, including Johannesburg, the largest city ​​of the country.

At least six people have been killed and more than 200 arrested, according to a police statement released on Monday.

Soldiers have been deployed to assist the police. President Cyril Ramaphosa was due to address the nation later Monday. He called for calm on Sunday night and vowed police would crack down on those breaking the law, but the riots escalated on Monday.

Looting of shopping centers has broken out in several areas of Johannesburg, including Benmore, Jeppestown, Vosloorus and Soweto, where Jabulani and Dobsonville shopping centers have been affected.

Retail stores in Alexandra, east of Johannesburg, were also hit, and reporters covering the riots for the South African Broadcasting Corporation and the Newzroom Afrika news channel were stripped of their equipment.

A large shopping center and car dealerships around the affluent Rosebank district have closed as protesters were reported in the area. Other malls east of Johannesburg, including Kempton Park, also closed on Monday.

In KwaZulu-Natal, people took home appliances including microwaves, televisions and clothes from stores in Mariannhill and Umlazi areas.

The violence began last week when Zuma began serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court. He defied a court order to testify before a state-backed inquiry examining corruption allegations during his tenure as president from 2009 to 2018.

The Constitutional Court, the country’s highest court, was due to start hearing Zuma’s appeal on Monday.

Police were investigating the deaths of four in Gauteng and two in KwaZulu-Natal, Police Col. Brenda Muridili said. Police and national security forces have expanded their presence in both provinces to help quell the violence, authorities said.

Police have warned anyone using social media to encourage riots could be arrested and prosecuted.