Death toll from South Africa’s riot has risen to 276 so far, with 168 cases of murder currently investigated, a Minister has said.
The protests rose from the jailing of former South African President, Jacob Zuma who was sentenced for failing to appear before a Commission of Inquiry over an alleged case of corruption.
Zuma’s sentencing has led to protests and looting of stores by angry South Africans.
The protests further grew into a show of anger over the current situation in the country with arson committed and large scale destruction of businesses and properties.
In Zuma’s native Kwa-Zulu Natal, there have been more than 200 deaths recorded so far as citizens show their displeasure over rising poverty in the country.
The death toll has continuously risen with 215 deaths recorded on Monday confirmed by Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, an Acting Minister in the presidency.
Minister Ntshaveni held a conference and disclosing there are now 234 deaths linked to the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and 42 in Gauteng.
The losses have been heavy and massive with 161 shopping malls, 11 warehouses and eight factories extensively damaged in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province. Losses in Gauteng can’t be quantified at the moment.