Six dead, 200 detained in South Africa unrest following Zuma arrest

Johannesburg, Jul 12 (EFE).- South African police are investigating six deaths and have detained 219 people over violent protests following the imprisonment of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

The violence first broke out in Zuma’s hometown KwaZulu-Natal on Friday after Zuma turned himself in to security forces on Wednesday night.

The former president was sentenced to serve 15 months in prison for contempt of court, having refused to testify in an inquiry into corruption during his tenure.

The unrest is mostly concentrated in Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal and in the region of Gauteng, home to Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Four bodies were found in Gauteng and two in KwaZulu-Natal. All six deaths are under investigation, a police spokesperson said.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Sunday there was no justification for the violence and that those involved in violent acts would be arrested.

Zuma’s application for a stay of arrest was dismissed by court Friday and legal experts have said the former president’s chances of overturning his sentence are very low. EFE

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