At least 117 people have been killed in ongoing riots across South Africa despite the efforts of heavily outnumbered authorities to quell violent unrest sparked by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma.
The South African Police Service said in a statement Tuesday that many fatalities occurred during “stampedes” as scores of people looted food, liquor, clothes and electrical appliances from shops in poor areas. Other deaths were caused by explosions when people tried to break into ATMs as well as shootings, according to police.
At least one police officer was killed in an attack on law enforcement, while seven others were injured responding to the riots, police said. So far, 2,203 people have been arrested.
President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa has said that the violence was pre-planned, but has not said who he suspects was behind it. However, according to some media associates of the former president the chaos has been masterminded by a dozen close associates of former President Jacob Zuma who has been jailed for corruption.
