Riots, which were sparked by the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma, yesterday morning spread to the Johannesburg CBD. The riots have seen roads being closed after they were blocked with burning tyres and rocks. Shops have been looted and cars torched in various parts of the 2 provinces. Also the president has condemned the sporadic violence and criminality, by apparent pro-Zuma supporters, saying such behaviour cannot be tolerated.
Meanwhile, the Road Freight Association, whose members lost trucks and goods during the KZN rots, has warned the repercussions will be devastating to businesses. At least 33 trucks were set alight, 26 of them on the N3 in Mooi River. RFA CEO Gavin Kelly says small businesses linked to the freight industry might shut down forever, as they have lost everything.
At the same time, City Power employees who are working in riot-hit areas in Johannesburg have been recalled, affecting the power utility’s response to callouts for power outages, repairs and maintenance. The riots erupted in the city on Saturday night and by yesterday, shops had been looted, vehicles torched and roads barricaded. 2 men died and several police officers were injured.
And a car dealership in Malvern, Johannesburg, has been dealt a blow after rioters torched its vehicles. The owners say their garage was torched on Saturday night and 32 vehicles were destroyed. The cars belonged to people who brought them to the dealership, to sell on their behalf. The business was also not insured.
