KwaZulu Natal has been thrown into chaos after avid supporters of former President Jacob Zuma took to the streets to showcase their disdain for his recent arrest.
On Friday, several violent protests sparked up across the province, which affected major roads, including the N2 and N3 highways. The reason? Angry protestors were calling for the immediate release of Zuma, who is currently being detained at the Estcourt Correctional Services Centre, reports IOL. Social media appeared to take notice, with hashtags such as #FreeJacobZuma and #KZNShutdown trending.
Following the wave of destruction, police have vowed to pursue the prominent instigators of the protests, reports IOL. According to National police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo, KZN police were working alongside the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to formulate charges with regards to the protest actions. These actions include malicious damage to property, arson, looting and the damage and blocking of national roads in and around Durban, states IOL.
“These actions have clearly emanated from the calls that were made by certain prominent persons via the mainstream and social media space,” Naidoo said.
“These prominent individuals will most likely be the ones facing these charges and they will be called to account for these and any other crimes that may occur in the future,” he continued.
These protests may have caused physical damage, but human lives were also put at risk on Friday. According to News24, an ambulance racing to help an elderly woman who collapsed had to reroute after being blocked by a group of protestors who had barricaded Duffs Road bridge in KwaMashu. Similar incidents have been reported, with another ambulance being delayed in Mount Edgecombe.
WATCH: Videos of the protests have surfaced online, here’s a look at a few.
#Zuma #Unrest This is the aftermath of last night unrest at Mooiriver Toll Plaza, KwaZulu-Natal. Eight trucks set alight. N3 at Mooiriver remains closed. Stay safe.. @BOSBEER2006 @1SecondLater @EWNTraffic @netstartraffic @SALTruckers @MARIUSBROODRYK @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/1uz5TPFWda
— BOSBEER.COM (@BOSBEER2006) July 10, 2021
Night Shift #FreeJacobZuma #KZNshutdown pic.twitter.com/oSLzVI5hqA
— Izwe Lethu (@LandNoli) July 9, 2021
That’s why l love social media, they cannot hide this from South Africa #KZNshutdown pic.twitter.com/o5uijhBvTx
— Mphephethe (@KhayelihleG) July 9, 2021
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Picture: Twitter