South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the nation as violence and looting rages in parts of the country, this was according to the statement released in Pretoria, by the Ministry in The Presidency on Monday 12th July 2021.
The time of the addresss by South Africa’s President, was not given, but the statement said the address will follow the announcement by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) that it has commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures in line with a request for assistance received from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS).
The request entails SANDF support for police operations in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
The unrest began last week after Zuma handed himself in to begin a 15-month sentence. Several people have been killed and dozens arrested.
Zuma was convicted of contempt of court after failing to attend an inquiry into corruption during his presidency.
The 79-year-old, who denies corruption, is hoping to get his sentence rescinded or reduced at the Constitutional Court hearing. However, legal experts say his chances of success are slim.
Mr Ramaphosa has already deployed the army to curb the unrest, which has mostly affected Mr Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa’s biggest city, Johannesburg.
A local TV station has shared a video of people looting stores in Soweto.
Part of the statement reads:
“The President is on record as calling for calm and warning criminal elements that they will face the full might of law as lawlessness is brought to an end and economic activity is allowed to continue.
The majority of South Africans do not and should not tolerate violence, the destruction of property and the endangering of livelihoods. People are urged to report criminals by sharing videos of criminal activity with the police.
People are also asked to pay attention to what they post on social media and to be aware that the sharing of fake news or content that incites violence and looting is a crime.
It is also a crime to possess, receive and use stolen goods, or to interfere with the police in their execution of their duties,” the statement added.