South Africa: Protests remain ongoing in multiple areas KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces as of July 13. /update 3

Event

As of July 13, unrest remains ongoing amidst protests and looting in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng Provinces in support of incarcerated former president Jacob Zuma.

KZN
Several reports indicated that Queen Nandi Drive in central Durban has been brought to a standstill with protesters walking towards Umgeni Road, in the direction of warehouses and large shopping centers. In Pietermaritzburg, protesters looted the Massmart Makro Store and Warehouse in the early morning hours of July 13. Unconfirmed reports have also indicated that police and military authorities are scarce in Pietermartizburg, with resources being concentrated in central Durban. Other protests have been reported in Richards Bay, Umhlanga, and Sibaya. Protesters have set dozens of vehicles on fire and the N3 toll route remains closed to traffic.

Reports also indicated that resource shortages have been reported. In Richards Bay, there is reportedly a fuel shortage, with only police and military vehicles permitted to refuel. Similar fuel shortages are likely in additional protest-impacted areas. In Umhlanga, Durban, and Pietermaritzburg food shortages have been reported with long queues reported at operational grocery stores. Other unconfirmed reports indicated that protesters have cut electricity and telecommunication cables in Isipingo and Umlazi, as well as in informal areas of northern KZN.

Gauteng
In Vosloorus, several arrests have been made amidst ongoing protesting and looting which occurred at the Chris Hani Mall. According to reports, police authorities fired rubber bullets to disperse gatherings. Several telecommunication companies have confirmed internet outages in the Vosloorus area. Other protests have also been reported in Soweto, Diepkloof, Alexandria and Mamelodi, where the Mamelodi Mall was looted and set alight in the evening hours of July 12, as was Jabulani Mall in Soweto.

Authorities deployed members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to areas of Gauteng and KZN July 12. Authorities will confirm the duration of the deployment upon assessments made in the affected areas; however, will likely remain until further notice. At least 26 people have reportedly been killed and over 700 others arrested, 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. Protesters have also blocked primary and secondary road routes, in KZN and Gauteng, including the N2 and N3.

Authorities are likely to continue 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.

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 Correctional Centre. An appeal to the Pietermaritzburg High Court to overturn the warrant of execution for his arrest was dismissed, July 7.

The aforementioned areas are likely to experience further disruptive protests in the coming days after the Constitutional Court reserved judgment on Zuma’s application to have his 15-month sentence for contempt rescinded in proceedings heard 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, high levels of unemployment, 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. Conserve fuel. Heed the directives of the local authorities. Avoid the use of public transport services.

Resources

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