Security12.07.2021

South Africa is burning — Shocking videos of rampant looting and violence

Social media in South Africa has been flooded with shocking videos and photos of violent scenes and rampant looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

The unrest comes in the wake of Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment for contempt of court at the Estcourt Correctional Facility last week Wednesday.

The former president’s family members and supporters have called on people to shut down the country in a bid to secure his freedom.

They have claimed that Zuma was unfairly treated and sentenced to prison without trial.

Under the guise of the #FreeZuma campaign, rioters have burnt down trucks, blocked roads, and raided shopping malls.

The SA Police have said that 219 people had been arrested in the country for looting-related crimes by 8:30 on Monday morning, while 7 deaths have been linked to the violence.

Most of the arrests were made in the hotspot of KwaZulu-Natal, where protests initially started with the blocking of major roads and highways last week.

There have also been sporadic incidents in parts of Gauteng, including Hillbrow, Jeppestown, and Vosloorus.

Among the most shocking scenes is video footage showing the Brookside mall in Pietermaritzburg on fire. The fire was reportedly caused by looters who had set the building alight.

In another video posted to Twitter, looters are shown making off with TV sets and other electronic appliances, with one group even using a forklift to transport their loot.

The situation is even derailing KwaZulu-Natal’s Covid-19 vaccination efforts, with pharmacy group Dis-Chem closing its outlets in the province.

“Due to the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, Dis-Chem Pharmacies, Dis-Chem Vaccination Sites and Dis-Chem Drive Through Testing Stations in the area will be closed today,” the company said in a statement this morning.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confirmed on Monday afternoon that it has begun pre-deployment procedures to help law enforcement agencies deployed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

This is in line with a request for assistance received from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints), the SANDF said.

Below are more of the videos and photos posted on social media of violent scenes across South Africa from last week and this morning.


Springfield shopping centre

Shots fired during night’s looting

Looting at Umlazi Mega City Mall

Westmead Cash & Carry

Dunlop Tyres Durban

Letsoho shopping centre in Katlehong

Hammersdale looting

Street scenes after looting

Car engines and wheels stripped at Toyota dealership in Durban South

Private security helicopter used to stop looters at Makro store

Owners defending stores in Verulam

Looters arrested at Makro store

Arrests in Katlehong

Arrests at Gold Spot shopping centre in Vosloorus

Now read: Jacob Zuma goes to jail

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