It seems like there's no end to legal wars for former South African President Jacob Zuma. In the latest, Zuma has now been accused of systemic and unlawful efforts to give business allies control of billions of dollars worth of state assets during his stay in power from 2009 to 2018.

More trouble for Jacob Zuma, probe finds questionable deals under his rule

A report into last year's unrest in South Africa has revealed that the country's police and intelligence services failed to anticipate the violence that was sparked by the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma for defying a court order to testify at a corruption inquiry, here's our report.

Report: Police failed to foresee unrest in South Africa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the first part of the report of the inquiry into allegations of corruption during his predecessor Jacob Zuma’s rule.

South Africa: Former president Zuma accused of plundering state coffers

More than 2 months on, South Africa is still struggling to recover from its worst unrest in recent decades. WION's Kalden Ongmu visited one of the major riot-hit areas to get you this detailed report.

South Africa still struggling to recover after 2 months of riots over jailing of Jacob Zuma

On Friday, South Africa's top court rejected former president Jacob Zuma's application to rescind his 15-month-jail sentence for contempt of court.

South Africa's top court rejects Zuma's bid to overturn jail sentence

South Africa's highest court has denied bail application by South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma to rescind his sentence of 15 months in jail; he was held on the charges of contempt of court earlier and was sentenced to imprisonment.

South Africa: Top court upholds ex-president Jacob Zuma’s prison sentence

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma, who is serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court, has been granted medical parole because of his ill health.

South Africa's Ex-President Jacob Zuma placed on medical parole amid health speculation

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has been placed on medical parole, Department of Correctional Services confirmed.

"Medical parole's eligibility for Mr Zuma is impelled by a medical report received by the Department of Correctional Services. Apart from being terminally ill and physically incapacitated, inmates suffering from an illness that severely limits their daily activity or self-care can also be considered for medical parole," the department said in a statement on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-africas-former-president-jacob-zuma-unable-to-pay-legal-fees-408332">WATCH |</a>

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"Medical parole placement for Zuma means that he will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections, whereby he must comply with specific set of conditions and will be subjected to supervision until his sentence expires," the statement read.&nbsp;

The former President is serving 15 month prison sentence for contempt of court. On August 6, Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed Zuma was admitted to an outside hospital for medical observation.&nbsp;

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has been placed on medical parole, Department of Correctional Services confirmed. "Medical parole's eligibility for Mr Zuma is impelled by a medical report received by the Department of Correctional Services.

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has been placed on medical parole, Department of Correctional Services confirmed. "Medical parole's eligibility for Mr Zuma is impelled by a medical report received by the Department of Correctional Services. Apart from being terminally ill and physically incapacitated, inmates suffering from an illness that severely limits their daily activity or self-care can also be considered for medical parole," the department said in a statement on Sunday. WATCH | "Medical parole placement for Zuma means that he will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections, whereby he must comply with specific set of conditions and will be subjected to supervision until his sentence expires," the statement read. The former President is serving 15 month prison sentence for contempt of court. On August 6, Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed Zuma was admitted to an outside hospital for medical observation.

South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma placed on medical parole

The Jacob Zuma Foundation has sent out a plea on its official Twitter page to ask people to open up their wallets and donate towards South Africa's Former President's mounting legal bills.

South Africa's Former President Jacob Zuma unable to pay legal fees

Former President Jacob Zuma underwent a surgical treatment on Saturday at a hospital outside the Estcourt Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal province where he is serving a 15-month prison sentence, the department of correctional services (DSC) confirmed.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Mr&nbsp;Zuma underwent a surgical treatment on Saturday, August&nbsp;14, with other procedures scheduled for the coming days. As a result, DSC is unable to predict a discharge date as our priority at this stage is for&nbsp;Mr&nbsp;Zuma to be provided the best care possible,” the department said in a statement on Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The department also appealed to the people to refrain from speculating on the health of former President and allow medical practitioners space to continue providing quality healthcare&nbsp;to&nbsp;him.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“As inmates are placed in correctional centers involuntarily, the state has a total and inescapable responsibility and duty to care for them in a manner that does not violate or compromise their constitutional rights, with access to healthcare,” the department said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Jacob Zuma, 79, was sentenced to&nbsp;15-month&nbsp;prison sentence for contempt of court.&nbsp;

Former President Jacob Zuma underwent a surgical treatment on Saturday at a hospital outside the Estcourt Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal province where he is serving a 15-month prison sentence, the department of correctional services (DSC) confirmed.

Former President Jacob Zuma underwent a surgical treatment on Saturday at a hospital outside the Estcourt Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal province where he is serving a 15-month prison sentence, the department of correctional services (DSC) confirmed. “Mr Zuma underwent a surgical treatment on Saturday, August 14, with other procedures scheduled for the coming days. As a result, DSC is unable to predict a discharge date as our priority at this stage is for Mr Zuma to be provided the best care possible,” the department said in a statement on Sunday. The department also appealed to the people to refrain from speculating on the health of former President and allow medical practitioners space to continue providing quality healthcare to him. “As inmates are placed in correctional centers involuntarily, the state has a total and inescapable responsibility and duty to care for them in a manner that does not violate or compromise their constitutional rights, with access to healthcare,” the department said. Jacob Zuma, 79, was sentenced to 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court.

Former President Jacob Zuma undergoes surgical treatment at hospital 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged that there was rampant state corruption while he was deputy to former president Jacob Zuma.

South African President Ramaphosa acknowledges of rampant state corruption during time as Zuma VP

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa, testifying at a graft inquiry, said that he chose to "remain but resist" rather than resign as deputy president when allegations of widespread corruption surfaced under his predecessor Jacob Zuma.

South Africa: Ramaphosa says he tried to resist corruption as ex-president Zuma's deputy

The former president of South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) party, Zuma was arrested in June for contempt of court after failing to appear before a judicial commission investigating corruption accusations against him.

Former President Jacob Zuma to ask South African court to drop charges against him

In the past few weeks, South Africa was gripped by the biggest explosion of unrest in decades. Shopping malls and warehouses were looted, supply trucks attacked and businesses destroyed. At least 337 people died.

Initially, as families loaded up consumer goods they would otherwise be unable to afford, the tumult seemed like an organic expression of popular discontent. After all, with unemployment over 30 percent, hunger widespread and inequality spiraling, there’s ample cause for anger. But far from a spontaneous social revolt, the rioting seems in fact to have been politically orchestrated.

After Jacob Zuma, the country’s former president, was arrested on July 7 — to serve a 15-month sentence for contempt of court — his supporters and allies vowed to make the country ungovernable. Coordinating a campaign of economic sabotage through WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter and other social networks, they succeeded.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has since sought to calm the country, suggesting the worst is over. But it doesn’t feel that way. In fact, the events of the past weeks have demonstrated a bleak truth about the country. The deep rot of South Africa’s social and political order — rife with racial tension, communal mistrust, injustice and corruption — is now on full display. The rainbow nation, supposed beacon of reconciliation, is falling apart.

At the heart of the discord is the ruling African National Congress. In the 27 years since it steered South Africa to democracy, it has carried the hopes of millions of South Africans. Drawing on its reputation as the party of liberation, it has strong support and remains electorally unassailable. But it has now become squarely a source of division. A devastating battle for its soul is underway, with the country as the battlefield.

Driving the conflict are the forces loyal to Mr. Zuma, mostly composed of disgraced politicians who seek to be returned to their former positions of privilege. Though the A.N.C. always promoted the rise of a Black elite, Mr. Zuma’s presidency, beginning in 2009, changed the focus: The state, rather than the market, became the main site for opportunity and enrichment. A spurious ideology of “Radical Economic Transformation,” spun as a radical challenge to South Africa’s white-dominated private sector, provided rhetorical cover for corruption and patronage. Now removed from power, the beneficiaries of Mr. Zuma’s rule are determined to wreak havoc.

In their sights is Mr. Ramaphosa, who rose to power in 2018 on an anti-corruption platform. His efforts to root out endemic graft in his party — and by extension, the South African state — have been mixed at best. Before the drama of Mr. Zuma’s arrest, the country was stunned by the news that Zweli Mkhize, the well-liked health minister, played a role in awarding a contract worth $10 million to a communications company run by two associates. Though Mr. Ramaphosa recently escalated his anti-corruption push — not least by suspending the A.N.C.’s secretary general this year — Mr. Mkhize’s example underlines how widespread the looting of state resources has been. It’s clearly not just a case of bad apples. The batch is rotten.

And yet no political force looks able to hold the A.N.C. to account. The two major opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters, have retired any ambitions of becoming mass parties capable of challenging the A.N.C. After some years of growth as the anti-Zuma opposition, the Democratic Alliance has doubled down on its identity as a party of white liberals; the Economic Freedom Fighters has reduced itself to an extension of Mr. Zuma’s faction of the A.N.C. Tellingly, in his last days as a free man, Mr. Zuma was flanked by Dali Mpofu, a former national chair of the E.F.F.

In the absence of effective opposition, the A.N.C. is coming apart at the seams. Never a party of ideology, it has always been a broad coalition united in opposition to minority rule. Since the end of apartheid, it has struggled to develop a stable political identity. Given the party’s enduring popularity, the challenge is less regaining public credibility than finding internal coherence. But until another party rivals the A.N.C., we can expect it to rest on its laurels. That spells a future of more factional strife and poor governance, at great cost to the country.

The president, for his part, is using the unrest’s aftermath as an opportunity to rebuild. As one of the key negotiators of South Africa’s liberal Constitution, Mr. Ramaphosa hopes to tap into the spirit of that time — a moment also marked by violence, when things felt equally on a knife’s edge. But these reserves are low. Back then, at the end of apartheid, the promise of democracy filled many with hope. Now, after nearly three decades of things remaining mostly the same, many people just feel despair.

An uneasy calm has settled. How long it lasts is anyone’s guess. Yet the past few weeks have conclusively dispelled many illusions about the country, none more so than the myth of South African exceptionalism — of a South Africa more peaceful than its African neighbors, more developed and with a future that bends inevitably toward good and triumph. The reality, as we await the next outbreak of violence, is much uglier. 
&nbsp;

In the past few weeks, South Africa was gripped by the biggest explosion of unrest in decades. Shopping malls and warehouses were looted, supply trucks attacked and businesses destroyed.

In the past few weeks, South Africa was gripped by the biggest explosion of unrest in decades. Shopping malls and warehouses were looted, supply trucks attacked and businesses destroyed. At least 337 people died. Initially, as families loaded up consumer goods they would otherwise be unable to afford, the tumult seemed like an organic expression of popular discontent. After all, with unemployment over 30 percent, hunger widespread and inequality spiraling, there’s ample cause for anger. But far from a spontaneous social revolt, the rioting seems in fact to have been politically orchestrated. After Jacob Zuma, the country’s former president, was arrested on July 7 — to serve a 15-month sentence for contempt of court — his supporters and allies vowed to make the country ungovernable. Coordinating a campaign of economic sabotage through WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter and other social networks, they succeeded. President Cyril Ramaphosa has since sought to calm the country, suggesting the worst is over. But it doesn’t feel that way. In fact, the events of the past weeks have demonstrated a bleak truth about the country. The deep rot of South Africa’s social and political order — rife with racial tension, communal mistrust, injustice and corruption — is now on full display. The rainbow nation, supposed beacon of reconciliation, is falling apart. At the heart of the discord is the ruling African National Congress. In the 27 years since it steered South Africa to democracy, it has carried the hopes of millions of South Africans. Drawing on its reputation as the party of liberation, it has strong support and remains electorally unassailable. But it has now become squarely a source of division. A devastating battle for its soul is underway, with the country as the battlefield. Driving the conflict are the forces loyal to Mr. Zuma, mostly composed of disgraced politicians who seek to be returned to their former positions of privilege. Though the A.N.C. always promoted the rise of a Black elite, Mr. Zuma’s presidency, beginning in 2009, changed the focus: The state, rather than the market, became the main site for opportunity and enrichment. A spurious ideology of “Radical Economic Transformation,” spun as a radical challenge to South Africa’s white-dominated private sector, provided rhetorical cover for corruption and patronage. Now removed from power, the beneficiaries of Mr. Zuma’s rule are determined to wreak havoc. In their sights is Mr. Ramaphosa, who rose to power in 2018 on an anti-corruption platform. His efforts to root out endemic graft in his party — and by extension, the South African state — have been mixed at best. Before the drama of Mr. Zuma’s arrest, the country was stunned by the news that Zweli Mkhize, the well-liked health minister, played a role in awarding a contract worth $10 million to a communications company run by two associates. Though Mr. Ramaphosa recently escalated his anti-corruption push — not least by suspending the A.N.C.’s secretary general this year — Mr. Mkhize’s example underlines how widespread the looting of state resources has been. It’s clearly not just a case of bad apples. The batch is rotten. And yet no political force looks able to hold the A.N.C. to account. The two major opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters, have retired any ambitions of becoming mass parties capable of challenging the A.N.C. After some years of growth as the anti-Zuma opposition, the Democratic Alliance has doubled down on its identity as a party of white liberals; the Economic Freedom Fighters has reduced itself to an extension of Mr. Zuma’s faction of the A.N.C. Tellingly, in his last days as a free man, Mr. Zuma was flanked by Dali Mpofu, a former national chair of the E.F.F. In the absence of effective opposition, the A.N.C. is coming apart at the seams. Never a party of ideology, it has always been a broad coalition united in opposition to minority rule. Since the end of apartheid, it has struggled to develop a stable political identity. Given the party’s enduring popularity, the challenge is less regaining public credibility than finding internal coherence. But until another party rivals the A.N.C., we can expect it to rest on its laurels. That spells a future of more factional strife and poor governance, at great cost to the country. The president, for his part, is using the unrest’s aftermath as an opportunity to rebuild. As one of the key negotiators of South Africa’s liberal Constitution, Mr. Ramaphosa hopes to tap into the spirit of that time — a moment also marked by violence, when things felt equally on a knife’s edge. But these reserves are low. Back then, at the end of apartheid, the promise of democracy filled many with hope. Now, after nearly three decades of things remaining mostly the same, many people just feel despair. An uneasy calm has settled. How long it lasts is anyone’s guess. Yet the past few weeks have conclusively dispelled many illusions about the country, none more so than the myth of South African exceptionalism — of a South Africa more peaceful than its African neighbors, more developed and with a future that bends inevitably toward good and triumph. The reality, as we await the next outbreak of violence, is much uglier.

South Africa is falling apart

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been granted compassionate leave to attend the funeral of his younger brother. Zuma's jailing this month led to South Africa's worst outbreak of violence in years.

South Africa: Jailed Jacob Zuma permitted to attend brother’s funeral

Feeling anguish and despair after days of the worst violence to hit South Africa in years, Durban pianist Jenny Bowes is using music to bring hope and love into the scenes of devastation as the country rebuilds following the unrest.

After unrest, South African pianist tackles despair through music

Former South African president Jacob Zuma, whose jailing earlier this month triggered riots, is expected to appear virtually on Monday for the latest hearing in a trial related to an arms deal corruption case.

Trial of South Africa’s ex-leader Jacob Zuma on arms deal corruption charges

Former South African president Jacob Zuma, is expected to appear virtually on Monday for the latest hearing in a trial related to an arms deal corruption case. Zuma has denied the charges.

Zuma's trial on arms deal corruption charges to resume

After more than a week of violence and chaos in the country, South Africa has now started a post-riot clean-up and the President, Cyril Ramaphosa has joined the movement.

South Africa burst into waves of violence after former President Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in jail in a corruption case.

After the sentence was announced, hundreds of locals took to streets to protest the ruling. The violence led to death of more than 200 people, looting of several stores and homes and left many injured.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-africa-worry-over-food-shortage-after-week-of-rioting-398750">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-africa-worry-over-food-shortage-after-week-of-rioting-398750/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Now, after more than a week, the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has taken to the streets to motivate people to join the clean-up movement. Urging people to stop violence and come together as a nation, his government warned locals against any form of vigilantism and urged people to stay clear of any form of racial injustice.

"We all admit there were lapses... we will gather ourselves and do a proper review," Ramaphosa told a gathering outside a mall in Soweto township. "People want to defend what we have in the form of democracy, our constitution and economy."

He has also assured a proper review and investigation of the violence. Since the chaos broke out in the country, people have been struggling to gain access to basic necessities as several households were severely affected by the looting of shops and attacks on homes.

After more than a week of violence and chaos in the country, South Africa has now started a post-riot clean-up and the President, Cyril Ramaphosa has joined the movement.

After more than a week of violence and chaos in the country, South Africa has now started a post-riot clean-up and the President, Cyril Ramaphosa has joined the movement. South Africa burst into waves of violence after former President Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in jail in a corruption case. After the sentence was announced, hundreds of locals took to streets to protest the ruling. The violence led to death of more than 200 people, looting of several stores and homes and left many injured. WATCH | Now, after more than a week, the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has taken to the streets to motivate people to join the clean-up movement. Urging people to stop violence and come together as a nation, his government warned locals against any form of vigilantism and urged people to stay clear of any form of racial injustice. "We all admit there were lapses... we will gather ourselves and do a proper review," Ramaphosa told a gathering outside a mall in Soweto township. "People want to defend what we have in the form of democracy, our constitution and economy." He has also assured a proper review and investigation of the violence. Since the chaos broke out in the country, people have been struggling to gain access to basic necessities as several households were severely affected by the looting of shops and attacks on homes.

South Africa's President, Cyril Ramaphosa, joins clean-up mission after week of violence

South Africa has slipped into anarchy. It's no longer about Jacob Zuma. Looters say they're stealing because others are. Mob justice is rising with armed vigilantes on the streets and Indians are facing the worst of this. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: South Africa slips into Anarchy

South African President Cyril&nbsp;Ramaphosa&nbsp;said on Friday his government would not allow "anarchy and mayhem" to prevail after violence this week which he suggested had been deliberately provoked.

"It is quite clear that all these incidents of unrest and looting were instigated, there were people who planned it and coordinated it,"&nbsp;Ramaphosa&nbsp;said.

"We are going after them, we have identified a good number of them and, we will not allow anarchy and mayhem to just unfold in our country," he told reporters.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-south-africa-slips-into-anarchy-398341/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ramaphosa made the remarks when he visited Ethekwini Municipality, which includes the port city Durban, one of the areas worst hit in a week of looting and arson that destroyed hundreds of businesses and killed more than 100 people.

Shopping malls and warehouses have been ransacked in two provinces, stoking fears of shortages and inflicting a devastating blow to the economy. At least 117 people have died, some shot and others killed in looting stampedes.

Ramaphosa's visit to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province was his first on the ground since the unrest, the worst in post-apartheid South Africa,&nbsp;erupted in the southeastern province before spreading to Johannesburg.

Protests broke out on July 9, a day after ex-president Jacob Zuma, who wields support among the poor and loyalists in the ruling African National Congress (ANC), began a 15-month jail term for snubbing a corruption investigation.

The protests quickly turned into looting as crowds pillaged shops and storehouses, hauling away goods as police stood by, seemingly powerless to act.

The government said on Thursday that one of the suspected instigators had been arrested and 11 were under surveillance.

Ramaphosa&nbsp;will "undertake an oversight visit (in KZN) to assess the impact of recent public violence and the deployment of security forces," his office said earlier.

On Wednesday, the government called out around 25,000 troops to tackle the emergency -- 10 times the number that it initially deployed and equivalent to about a third of the country's active military personnel.

Defence, security and police ministers and the &nbsp;top army brass went to KZN on Wednesday to assess the situation and oversee the expanded deployment of security forces there.

Although relative calm has returned to Johannesburg, the situation in KZN "remains volatile", a minister in&nbsp;Ramaphosa's office, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, told a news conference on Thursday.

Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), a respected business lobby group, has called on the government to impose a 24-hour curfew to quickly contain the unrest.

"This is an emergency unparalleled in our democratic history and requires the state to take immediate action," it said in a statement on Thursday.

"We believe this must include a strongly enforced curfew in specific areas to clear the streets and allow law enforcement to regain control," it said.

It echoed fears expressed by&nbsp;Ramaphosa&nbsp;of a disruption to supply chains including energy, food and the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Analysts estimate that thousands of businesses have been plundered in what the minister described as "economic sabotage" masterminded by 12 suspects.

One of the alleged instigators has been arrested, while the other 11 are under increased police surveillance, Ntshavheni said.

In all 2,203 people have been arrested during the unrest for various offences, including theft.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday his government would not allow "anarchy and mayhem" to prevail after violence this week which he suggested had been deliberately provoked.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday his government would not allow "anarchy and mayhem" to prevail after violence this week which he suggested had been deliberately provoked. "It is quite clear that all these incidents of unrest and looting were instigated, there were people who planned it and coordinated it," Ramaphosa said. "We are going after them, we have identified a good number of them and, we will not allow anarchy and mayhem to just unfold in our country," he told reporters. Ramaphosa made the remarks when he visited Ethekwini Municipality, which includes the port city Durban, one of the areas worst hit in a week of looting and arson that destroyed hundreds of businesses and killed more than 100 people. Shopping malls and warehouses have been ransacked in two provinces, stoking fears of shortages and inflicting a devastating blow to the economy. At least 117 people have died, some shot and others killed in looting stampedes. Ramaphosa's visit to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province was his first on the ground since the unrest, the worst in post-apartheid South Africa, erupted in the southeastern province before spreading to Johannesburg. Protests broke out on July 9, a day after ex-president Jacob Zuma, who wields support among the poor and loyalists in the ruling African National Congress (ANC), began a 15-month jail term for snubbing a corruption investigation. The protests quickly turned into looting as crowds pillaged shops and storehouses, hauling away goods as police stood by, seemingly powerless to act. The government said on Thursday that one of the suspected instigators had been arrested and 11 were under surveillance. Ramaphosa will "undertake an oversight visit (in KZN) to assess the impact of recent public violence and the deployment of security forces," his office said earlier. On Wednesday, the government called out around 25,000 troops to tackle the emergency -- 10 times the number that it initially deployed and equivalent to about a third of the country's active military personnel. Defence, security and police ministers and the top army brass went to KZN on Wednesday to assess the situation and oversee the expanded deployment of security forces there. Although relative calm has returned to Johannesburg, the situation in KZN "remains volatile", a minister in Ramaphosa's office, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, told a news conference on Thursday. Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), a respected business lobby group, has called on the government to impose a 24-hour curfew to quickly contain the unrest. "This is an emergency unparalleled in our democratic history and requires the state to take immediate action," it said in a statement on Thursday. "We believe this must include a strongly enforced curfew in specific areas to clear the streets and allow law enforcement to regain control," it said. It echoed fears expressed by Ramaphosa of a disruption to supply chains including energy, food and the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Analysts estimate that thousands of businesses have been plundered in what the minister described as "economic sabotage" masterminded by 12 suspects. One of the alleged instigators has been arrested, while the other 11 are under increased police surveillance, Ntshavheni said. In all 2,203 people have been arrested during the unrest for various offences, including theft. (With inputs from agencies)

Lootings were instigated, people planned and coordinated it: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

25,000 South African soldiers have been deployed in an effort to stop the riots that began after former South African President Jacob Zuma was imprisoned last week. At least 117 people have been killed in the violence so far.

South Africa Unrest: Over 25,000 troops deployed in violence hit areas, 117 dead

Violence and looting in parts of South Africa, triggered by the arrest of former President Jacob Zuma, are broadening to reflect more deep-seated problems in the country. The unrest reflects the inequalities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Africa violence reflects inequalities exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday the government may expand the deployment of the military amid violence in the country.

Over 70 people have been killed in the violence which was triggered by the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma last week. Reports say essential services are in short supply with several shops and malls ransacked or set ablaze in several cities.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-are-indians-being-targeted-in-south-africa-398108/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The unrest has been going on for the past six days with at least 1,200 people arrested by police.

"President Ramaphosa welcomed proposals made by political leaders and said expanded deployment of the&nbsp;South&nbsp;African National Defence Force was being addressed," the statement said.

KwaZulu-Natal province has been severely hit with looting and vandalism reported in many areas.

Ramaphosa has warned&nbsp;shortage of food, fuel and medicine could occur due to supply chain disruptions amid the third wave of coronavirus pandemic.

On Wednesday, the country had reported 633 deaths with the total number of virus cases climbing to 2.2 million. The vaccination drive has been hampered due to the violence with the unrest spreading to Johannesburg.

The National Hospital Network (NHN) said it was running out of oxygen and medicines as it was unable to import them from Durban adding to the strain on health services.

President Ramaphosa has deployed 5,000 troops even as reports say locals have begun forming vigilante groups to protect public property.

Zuma, 79, has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering. The violence spread after Zuma's supporters in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal burned tyres and blocked roads over his prison term.

(With inputs from Agencies)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday the government may expand the deployment of the military amid violence in the country. Over 70 people have been killed in the violence which was triggered by the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma last week.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday the government may expand the deployment of the military amid violence in the country. Over 70 people have been killed in the violence which was triggered by the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma last week. Reports say essential services are in short supply with several shops and malls ransacked or set ablaze in several cities. Watch: The unrest has been going on for the past six days with at least 1,200 people arrested by police. "President Ramaphosa welcomed proposals made by political leaders and said expanded deployment of the South African National Defence Force was being addressed," the statement said. KwaZulu-Natal province has been severely hit with looting and vandalism reported in many areas. Ramaphosa has warned shortage of food, fuel and medicine could occur due to supply chain disruptions amid the third wave of coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday, the country had reported 633 deaths with the total number of virus cases climbing to 2.2 million. The vaccination drive has been hampered due to the violence with the unrest spreading to Johannesburg. The National Hospital Network (NHN) said it was running out of oxygen and medicines as it was unable to import them from Durban adding to the strain on health services. President Ramaphosa has deployed 5,000 troops even as reports say locals have begun forming vigilante groups to protect public property. Zuma, 79, has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering. The violence spread after Zuma's supporters in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal burned tyres and blocked roads over his prison term. (With inputs from Agencies)

South African government may expand troop deployment amid violence

The rioting and looting in South Africa has taken more than 70 lives. Indians in South Africa are now coming under attack. Shops and Businesses owned by members of the Indian diaspora have been looted and burned.

Gravitas: WION Ground Report: Indians under attack in South Africa

Unrest raged in South Africa for the sixth day running, stoking fears of food and fuel shortages as disruption to farming, manufacturing and oil refining began to bite.

South Africa Unrest: Food & fuel supplies running short

A mother was forced to throw her baby from the 16th floor of a burning building to a crowd below, as riots in South Africa intensify. The building they were in was set on fire by looters.

South Africa Riots: Mother throws baby from 16th floor of burning building

At least 72 people have been killed and more than 1,200 people have been arrested in the unrest following the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma in South Africa. WION correspondent Kalden Ongmu brings you a ground report from the Gauteng province.

South Africa Ground Report: Rioting, looting claims 72 lives after former president Zuma jailed

At least 72 people have been killed and more than 1,200 people have been arrested in the unrest following the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma.

South Africa riots: Death toll passes to 72 after imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma

The unrest in South Africa, set off last week after the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma, has claimed 72 lives so far. The police and the military have resorted to firing stun grenades and rubber bullets to contain the situation.

South Africa deploys army in 2 provinces to quell protests

Rioting, looting continues in South Africa with the death toll rising to 72 as police and the military struggle to quell the violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

South Africa unrest day 6th: 72 dead, At least 1,200 arrested so far

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