As the upheaval continues, South Africa is bracing for food and fuel shortages. As store owners calculated their losses following days of violence, community leaders near a Soweto township addressed local citizens on Wednesday, calling for a stop to theft in South Africa.
The turmoil was started by ex-President Jacob Zuma’s arrest last week, which led to days of looting in two of the country’s nine provinces.
Police in South Africa said 72 people had been killed, and 1,234 have been arrested due to rioting in the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
According to police Maj. Wild stampedes caused Gen. Mathapelo Peters many deaths as thousands of people stealing food, electric appliances, liquor, and clothing from stores.
“We need to join together and take responsibility for what’s left of our township economy and communities because looting has actually robbed us of our township economy,” said Nhlanhla Lux, a community leader who addressed to residents near the Maponya Mall.
Thandi Johnson had a store in the Diepkloof Mall for 12 years, but she said it was now closed after only one day.
“I’m a Sowetan, I was born here, I run a business here, I support the community here, and this is the thank you,” Johnson remarked from her ravaged shop.
The deployment of 2,500 soldiers to assist the South African police has aided in slowing the looting. However, unrest was still reported in various parts of Johannesburg, notably Vosloorus in the city’s eastern reaches.
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