Police on Monday said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two people killed in Inanda and Imbilo in KwaZulu-Natal.
Police ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said six people have lost their lives since the start of the unrest.
“Police are investigating circumstances surrounding the deaths of 4 people in Gauteng and two people killed in Inanda and Imbilo in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Several roads in Kwazulu-Natal remain closed on Monday and police remain on high alert due to the sporadic violent protests in the country by the so-called supporters of former president Jacob Zuma.
The Brookside Mall in Pietermaritzburg is on fire on Monday morning while the so-called Zuma supporters continue looting.
In videos being shared on Twitter, protesters can be seen running away from the mall with stolen goods on trolleys and on bakkies. This is despite big clouds of smoke seen rising from the mall.
The highways leading to Pietermaritzburg are closed for now.
Police could not yet provide any information as yet.
According to Mpumalanga Broadcasting TV a fireman who was at the scene attending to the fire at the Brookside Mall said on Monday morning that while firefighters battled the blaze, people were emptying the shelves.
RAMAPHOSA CONDEMNS PROTESTS
President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned the ongoing sporadic protests in the country, saying they are endangering lives and damaging efforts to rebuild the economy.
In several parts of the country key infrastructure like national roads have been affected, slowing down the transportation of goods and services that keep our economy running. Property has been destroyed. Cars have been stoned. People have been intimidated and threatened, and some have even been hurt.
While addressing this issue of ‘great national importance’ Ramaphosa said these acts must be condemned by all South Africans at all costs.
“Our Constitution guarantees everyone’s right to freely express themselves and to engage in peaceful protest. While there are those who may be hurt and angry at this moment, there can never be any justification for such violent, destructive and disruptive actions,” he said.
