Violence erupts in South Africa as Zuma’s supporters protest his imprisonment

Violence erupted on Sunday during protests against the imprisonment of Jacob Zuma, former president of South Africa.

Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for contempt of court following his refusal to appear before a graft panel.

The former president had defied an order by the constitutional court in January to appear at an inquiry into corruption while he was president.

He was tried for his alleged involvement in a $5 billion arms deal in the late ’90s.

The protesters first took to the streets after Zuma handed himself to authorities on Wednesday to begin his sentence.

According to DW, the violence which started in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s home province, spread to Gauteng province on Sunday, which includes Johannesburg, the country’s largest city.

Shops were said to have been looted, and roads blocked as the protesters marched through the city.

On Sunday, the police said they had arrested 37 people in KwaZulu-Natal and 25 in Johannesburg.

Mathapelo Peters, police major, said the body of a 40-year-old man was recovered from a shop in Johannesburg.

He said three police officers were injured and one hospitalised when trying to arrest looters.

Cyril Ramaphosa, the country’s president, called for calm and urged protesters to peacefully carry out their demonstrations.

“People have been intimidated and threatened, and some have even been hurt,” he said.  

Meanwhile, Zuma has challenged his sentence, arguing that he will be at risk of contracting COVID-19 while in prison.

His challenge is expected to heard by a court on Monday.