Several people have been killed and 219 people arrested in connection with continued riots and looting across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Police Spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili said the deployment has been intensified across hotspots in both areas.
“The NatJOINTS is receiving Intelligence support from its Intelligence Coordinating Committee comprising of SAPS Crime Intelligence, Defense Intelligence as well as State Security Intelligence, to enable law enforcement to counter these sporadic violent protests,” she said.
79-year-old Zuma was convicted of contempt of court after failing to appear at an inquiry into corruption during his presidency.
Muridili said the circumstance leading up to the demise of two persons in Inanda and Umbilo is under investigation.
“The extent of damage to property and the looting of businesses will be determined at a later stage,” she said.
Police in Gauteng is investigating the deaths of four people since the break out of violent protests in Gauteng.
“On Sunday morning, the police responded to a call from Alexandra Clinic where they found a body with gunshot wounds. Later that day, the body of a security guard with assault wounds was found at Jeppestown.
Metro Police spokesperson, Snr Supt Parboo Sewpersad, said they had been responding to calls since Friday.
He said it had been chaotic for them but that “most malls and hardware stores have been looted and are no-go areas. Pinetown, KwaMashu and other areas are unsafe. There are groups marching and smashing doors and damaging goods”.
Police on the ground have been overstretched and outnumbered by the protesting raiders.
“This has gone beyond politics. These are clearly criminal acts,” a security source responded.
Meanwhile, all public transport in KZN has been grounded as looting spreads, protesters have ransacked stalls, malls, warehouses including Shoprite store in the Durban CBD.
A source in the security cluster said he was in town last night when Brookside Mall was hit by looters. He said people told him the aim was to collapse Ramaphosa’s economy until former President Jacob Zuma is freed from jail.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the ongoing sporadic demonstrations in the country, saying they are endangering lives and damaging efforts to rebuild the economy.
