Apocalyptic videos are flooding Twitter.
They show scenes of looting which bloodied South Africa a few days ago, in the wake of the incarceration of the former South African president, Jacob Zuma.
President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke on Monday July 12 of acts
“rarely seen in the history of our democracy”.
It is indeed the most serious crisis the country has experienced since 1991 and the end of apartheid.
These violent incidents were triggered after the imprisonment of Jacob Zuma, prosecuted for corruption and sentenced on July 8 to 15 months in prison for "
contempt of justice
".
The latest official report shows at least 121 killed and more than 2,000 arrests during these six days of violence.
Cyril Ramaphosa went this Friday, July 16 to KwaZulu-Natal, epicenter of the violence, where 95 people were killed.
Overwhelmed, the police struggled to react in many cities and very often civilians took the place of the police.
“
Contrary to what we are used to seeing, the violence is not the result of clashes between the security forces and the rioters. It is anarchy that explains these human losses. In Phoenix and Durban, communities have armed themselves, and engaged against suspected looters
, ”said Ryan Cummings, Director of Signal Risk, specialist in political and security risks in Africa.
The government said Wednesday evening that it would deploy around 25,000 troops to the region.
This late announcement did not stop the numerous rampages and arson attacks in Johannesburg as well as in the east of the country.
"
The police were taken by surprise, and as often they were very quickly overwhelmed," explains Thierry Vircoulon, associate researcher at the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) and specialist in South Africa.
She already can't cope with the violence in Cape Town's townships, so as soon as this kind of explosion happens, she's virtually ineffective.
The army is the only one able to intervene.
"
Risk of shortage
If relative calm has reigned since Thursday, observers are already worried about the dramatic consequences of billions of euros of destruction.
Deliveries to retail outlets were interrupted during the violence.
This situation raises fears of a catastrophic food shortage as the queues begin to lengthen in front of some stores, especially in Durban.
Essential supplies are starting to run out and logistics experts warn of a "
humanitarian disaster
".
Read also: South Africa: anti-Covid vaccinations suspended by violence
“
We still don't have a full assessment of the extent of the damage.
The looting specifically targeted basic commodities, such as bread and sugar.
"
This lack of food supply could potentially be another trigger for unrest in the future
", fears Ryan Cummings.
A Cocotte-Minute company
For twenty years, violence has not stopped growing in the homeland of Nelson Mandela.
"
All the statistics show that anger has been on the rise for years, it is logical that we come to situations of riotous violence today and more and more often
", deplores Thierry Vircoulon.
In this country often classified as the most unequal in the world, resentment and discontent flourish as disparities increase.
The socio-economic divides have never been resolved.
The unemployment rate is 33%.
The pandemic has exacerbated the country's economic crisis.
“
South Africa is a real Pressure Cooker, there are similarities with the situation in certain Latin American countries where the social situation is untenable.
The government has nothing to offer because the political class is discredited by internal quarrels within the ANC.
This party has become the symbol of corruption in South Africa,
”analyzes Thierry Vircoulon.
In addition to the revolt of the poor of the last days, there are still significant ethnic tensions since the end of the apartheid regime. Racist attacks have been observed in several areas of the country, in particular in Phoenix.
