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Jacob Zuma: 35 People Killed And Hundreds Arrested In Violent South Africa’s Riots

About 35 people have been killed in the violence which followed protests over the imprisonment of Jacob Zuma, former president of South Africa.

According to AP, Sihle Zikalala, KwaZulu-Natal province premier, told a news conference on Tuesday, that the death toll in the province now stands at 26 – a day after officials confirmed six deaths in Gauteng province.

People throw stones at police as they attempt looting at Letsoho Shopping Centre in Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday, July 12, 2021. Police say six people are dead and more than 200 have been arrested amid escalating violence during rioting that broke out following the imprisonment of South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma.

“Yesterday’s events brought a lot of sadness. The number of people who have died in KwaZulu-Natal alone stands at 26. Many of them died from being trampled on during a stampede while people were looting items,” he said.

The violence which started in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s province, spread to Gauteng province on Sunday with many shops looted and several injured.

The South African military had said it would deploy soldiers in the provinces to assist law enforcement agencies in their effort to calm the unrest.

Looting was, however, said to have continued on Tuesday in Johannesburg shopping malls in township areas.

Supporters of former South African President Jacob Zuma block the freeway with burning tyres during a protest in Peacevale, South Africa

Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court following his refusal to appear before a graft panel.

The former president had defied an order by the constitutional court in January to appear at an inquiry into allegations of corruption.

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He was tried for his alleged involvement in a $5 billion arms deal in the late 90s’.

Police officers detain demonstrators during protests following the imprisonment of former South Africa President Jacob Zuma, in Katlehong, South Africa.

Photo Credit: Getty