TROOPS have been deployed in South Africa after at least 45 people were killed in rioting and deadly stampedes sparked by the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
The violence was triggered by the jailing of Zuma, 79, for defying a constitutional court order to give evidence at an inquiry probing high-level corruption during his nine years in office until 2018.
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The body of a victim, covered with a blanket, lies on the ground next to police officers, as protests continue Credit: Reuters 5
Soldiers, seen here guarding cash machines, have been deployed in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces to deal with violent protests Credit: AP 5
The South African National Defence Force has been deployed to help the police Credit: Alamy
Police said violence and looting had intensified as Zuma challenged his 15-month prison term in the country's top court.
The judgment in the case has been reserved.
But the situation has evolved into an outpouring of anger over persistent poverty and inequality in South Africa, 27 years after the end of apartheid.
Up to 45 people have been killed during the unrest, according to reports.
Ten were killed in Gauteng and 26 in KwaZulu-Natal after stampedes as residents raced for supplies while looters ransacked stores, skipping over the bodies left strewn in the streets.
Almost 800 people have now been arrested since the insurgence began last Thursday.
Smoke is today swirling from burning buildings as items from burgled shops lay strewn by the side of the road in Pietermaritzburg in Zuma's home province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The sporadic pro-Zuma protests that broke out when he handed himself over last week have escalated into looting and arson, mainly in KZN.
Troops were moving in to flashpoints today as outnumbered police seemed helpless to prevent attacks and looting on businesses in Zuma's home province KwaZulu-Natal and in Gauteng province, where the country's biggest city, Johannesburg, is located.
Columns of armoured personnel carriers rolled down highways.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said: "What we are witnessing now are opportunistic acts of criminality, with groups of people instigating chaos merely as a cover for looting and theft."
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Police have arrested 489 suspects in the two provinces.
Mr Ramaphosa said: "We will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute those who perpetrate these actions and will ensure that they face the full might of our law."
He warned that the looting of shopping centres, pharmacies and disruption to supply chains could lead to food and medicine shortages in the coming weeks, as well as disruption to the coronavirus vaccination drive.
A statement from the military said "pre-deployment processes had started" following a request for assistance from a government intelligence body.
But a Reuters news agency cameraman in Pietermaritzburg saw armed soldiers already in the streets.
What we are witnessing now are opportunistic acts of criminality
Cyril Ramaphosa, South African President
Violent scenes have been branded "war-like" by a doctor in Zuma's home state KwaZulu-Natal, where demonstrations have largely been staged.
On Monday, a shopping centre was burned and looted, with riots now spreading into neighbouring Gauteng and Johannesburg.
Dr Suhayl Essa says his clinic has become overwhelmed with patients —including a six-month-old girl who was shot in the head with a rubber bullet.
He slammed scenes as "a glimpse into hell" — with the military now urgently called in to tame flaring crowds.
Police have resorted to using rubber bullets to control violence, with dozens struck — including baby.
"It felt like war. We were listening to gunshots and screams, and then people were running in for help."
Dr Suhayl Essa
"We were in war mode, dealing with the sickest and helping those who could be saved.
"There was a six-month-old-baby who was shot in the head with a rubber bullet.
"The mother was on the road trying to get home, and she was shot at."
According to Dr Essa, countless people have also been stabbed since riots broke out.
"Because of how many people were stabbed in the chest, we had run out of chest drains," he said.
"It felt like war. We were listening to gunshots and screams, and then people were running in for help."
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The decision to jail Zuma resulted from legal proceedings seen as a test of post-apartheid South Africa's ability to enforce the rule of law, including against powerful politicians.
But any confrontation with soldiers risks fuelling charges by Zuma and his supporters that they are victims of a politically motivated crackdown by his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
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Suspect looters are held at the Bara taxi rank shops in Soweto, Johannesburg Credit: AP 5
Riots began on Friday after Zuma was jailed Credit: AFP