Whenever we heard the name South Africa, everyone flashed Nelson Mandela in one’s mind. Since July 08th onwards, the world has come to hear about South Africa for the wrong reasons. Violence triggered protests over the 15 month imprisonment of Jacob Zuma, the former South African President in South Africa.
Jacob Zuma will make an appeal to the nation's top court to let him out of jail by rescinding its 15-month sentence for snubbing anti-graft investigators. Court was angered at Zuma for refusing to appear before a probe into the corruption that mired his nine years in power. He was once a widely popular personality in the country’s liberation movement.
Jacob Zuma had faced serious charges like rape and corruption and was acquitted during his Presidency. The trouble started for him after Zuma lost his President. The government formed a panel aimed to probe corruption charges against him. He denied appearing before the panel twice that forced the Constitutional court to sentence Zuma for 15 month in jail. Violence has erupted in the country, with dozens arrested after looting in KwaZulu-Natal and in the economic capital Johannesburg. The unrest led to 72 deaths and tens of millions of dollars in damage. President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed to try to quell unrest. Scary and shocking visuals appeared in Social Media. The country sees the worst ever violence in decades. Many have quoted the arrest of Former President Zuma as the primary reason for causing unrest in South Africa.
But there are many reasons internally for the outburst like poverty and inequalities among the people. The country recorded the highest 32.6% unemployment rate during the first three months of 2021. Pro Zuma supporters have looted and ransacked the shops and ATMs continued in Johannesburg and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. They took to the streets after the 79 year old was sentenced to 15 month imprisonment. Zuma’s supporters disrupt the police from arresting him. People also find fault with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s handling of violence and unrest. Indians living in South Africa also picked up arms to protect themselves and their businesses.
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