Former South African unrest challenged verdict
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The deadly riots in South Africa continue, as former President Jacob Zuma, who was sentenced to jail, challenged his sentence at a hearing in the country’s Supreme Court.
The video shows people looting shops and setting fire to buildings.
The riots began last week after Zuma surrendered and started his 15-month sentence. Several people were killed and dozens were arrested.
Zuma failed to participate in an investigation into corruption during his presidency and was convicted of contempt of court.
The 79-year-old who denies corruption hopes to have his sentence revoked or commuted at a hearing in the Constitutional Court. However, legal experts say that his chances of success are slim.
This case triggered an unprecedented legal drama in South Africa, which has never seen a former president in prison.
Monday’s video showed a fire in a shopping mall in Zuma’s hometown of KwaZulu-Natal, and people flooded into looting.
According to reports, a supermarket was also looted.
A similar scene occurred over the weekend, with violence spreading to the city of Johannesburg.
On Sunday, people saw protesters holding clubs, golf clubs and tree branches marching in the Central Business District of Johannesburg.
The South African government intelligence agency stated that 6 people have been killed and more than 200 people have been arrested since the unrest began.
Police in KwaZulu-Natal province accused the looters of attempting to take advantage of the riots.
President Cyril Ramaphosa called for calmness, stating that although people “may be hurt and angry,” there is no reason to justify violence.
Zuma was convicted of ignoring instructions to provide evidence in a corruption investigation during his nine years in power. He only testified once in an investigation called “national plunder”-which means the seizure of state-owned assets.
In another legal matter, he pleaded not guilty last month in a corruption trial involving arms deals worth US$5 billion (£3 billion) in the 1990s.
His supporters argued that he was a victim of political persecution orchestrated by Ramaphosa’s allies.
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