As South Africans barricade themselves in their homes while destruction and violence persist, there may be a shred of light at the end of the tunnel. Police Minister Bheki Cele has stated that they have identified 12 instigators of the current riots and looting that have swept across SA, reports News24.
During an address with the media on July 13, Cele was probed on whether these “instigators” included members of the Zuma family. However, the Minister appeared to evade the question, simply stating that they had a list of “12 South Africans” who have been implicated in fueling the violence, as per News24.
While many have attributed the unrest to the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma, Cele has stated that many of the individuals currently participating in the looting have not even heard of Jacob Zuma.
“They were asked in one hostel in KZN, why are you doing this. They said they are hungry and they do not have jobs,” he said.
“There is this genuine anger, and people who say they would love to see JZ come out of incarceration, but there are [also] many people who do not even know what the situation is about, they have just gotten on the bandwagon and caused this destruction,” Cele continued.
According to Cele, around 304 people have been arrested in KZN and a total of 453 in the province of Gauteng. Police have also discovered the bodies of 10 people who were dead after a stampede occurred during a looting spree in the Johannesburg township of Soweto, reports African Insider.
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Adrenaline wears off and reality sets in as riots progress – Durbanites are afraid
Picture: Cape Town ETC Gallery