South Africa: Authorities deploy military to Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal provinces July 12 amid ongoing protests /update 2

Event

Authorities are deploying members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to areas of Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) provinces, July 12, amidst ongoing protests ostensibly in support of incarcerated former president Jacob Zuma. Authorities will confirm the duration of the deployment upon assessments made in the affected areas; however, will likely remain through at least July 15.

Hundreds of people have been arrested amid looting of stores, malls, and warehouses. In KZN Province, dozens of rioters were arrested while attempting to break in and loot the Massmart Makro Store and Warehouse and LG warehouse in Cornubia, Umhlanga early 12 July. In addition, rioting protesters set fire to the Brookside Mall in Pietermaritzburg early 12 July. Elsewhere, protesters have looted malls and shops in Empangeni, Marianhill and other areas in central Pinetown, July 12. In Gauteng Province, several protesters have gathered at the Vaal Mall in Vanderbijlpark, and looting has also occurred at Jabulani Mall in Soweto.

Protests coinciding with and linked to the Zuma issue were also reported overnight July 10-11 in various areas of Gauteng, including Jeppestown, Denver, Alexandra, Wynberg, Maboneng, and the M2 highway in Johannesburg. On 11 July eThekwini Metro Police reported over 120 separate protest and looting incidents. In addition, reports indicate that as of July 12 police have arrested at least 219 people, and six have been fatally wounded, with numbers likely to increase in the coming days.

Protesters have gathered regularly in KZN since Zuma was arrested at Nkandla and jailed in Estcourt, July 7. Gatherings and roadblocks have occurred in and near various cities and towns, including Durban, Ballito, Mooi River, Nkandla, and Richards Bay; gatherings near informal settlements have occurred. Protesters have also blocked primary and secondary road routes, including the N2 and N3.

These aforementioned areas are likely to experience further disruptive protests in the coming hours and almost certainly until lawyers representing Zuma appeal his jail sentence at the Constitutional Court, July 12. A continuation and possible escalation in protest activity is likely if the July 12 appeal is dismissed.

Authorities are likely to deploy security and traffic management personnel to areas where protests occur and previous protest hotspots. Ground travel disruptions are likely near all protest sites. Clashes between protesters and the police are almost certain if demonstrators ignore police orders to disperse or if protests escalate. Protesters may also engage in further acts of public violence, including looting and attacks targeting commercial transport vehicles.

Context

Zuma was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment after being found guilty of contempt of court, June 29. He was arrested late July 7 and is currently incarcerated at the Estcourt Police Station. An appeal to the Pietermaritzburg High Court to overturn the warrant of execution for his arrest was dismissed, July 7. Zuma will remain in jail at least until his appeal is heard by the Constitutional Court, July 12. Protest activity is likely to concentrate in KZN and to a lesser degree Gauteng. The civil unrest is ostensibly linked to the ongoing incarceration of Zuma; however, most looting action appears opportunistic and criminally motivated, as well as being driven by longstanding grievances over local disputes, service delivery demands and corruption.

Advice

Avoid all protests. Liaise with trusted contacts for further information on planned and actual protest areas. Consider alternative routes around impact areas. Plan for disruptions to both general travel and the transport of freight. Reconfirm the status of all road routes in the coming days before travel. Heed the directives of the local authorities. Reconfirm all ground public transport services before travel.

Resources

i-traffic KZN (Twitter)
ECR Traffic (Twitter)
Jo'burg Metro Police Department