Violence is surging in South Africa amid riots after former President Jacob Zuma was imprisoned for contempt of court during a state-backed inquiry probing allegations of corruption during his term as president from 2009 to 2018. Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison, which led to his supporters rioting in his home region of KwaZulu-Natal province last week. Over the weekend, the riots spread to Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city.
As of Monday (July 12), six people have been killed and 219 have been arrested amid the escalating violence. Video has been released of alleged citizens opening fire on protesters in Durban, South Africa amid looting of the local businesses and a rise in violence. The South African National Defense Force released a statement, revealing that Army soldiers will be deployed to help police stop the violence.
