By Faith Nyasuguta
Riots have erupted in South Africa over the jailing of ex-South African president Jacob Zuma.
His supporters have barricaded roads and looted enterprises in two South African nations.
So far, over 62 people have been nabbed, according to South African police on Sunday.
Last week, the former president started serving his 15-month long jail term. The ex-head of state Zuma is in prison over contempt of court.
He is guilty of defying a court directive that required him to testify at a state-backed inquiry investigating accusations of graft during his presidential tenure between 2009 to 2018.
Last Friday, Zuma sought to have his jail term delayed and for him to be released from the Estcourt Correctional Centre but the request was rejected.
He is set to make another attempt this week with the nation’s loftiest court, the constitutional court.
The violence erupted in Zuma’s hometown, KwaZulu-Natal province last week but spread into Gauteng province over the weekend. The rioting areas include the country’s capital city Johannesburg.
Hundreds looted and burned stores in Johannesburg’s Alexandra and Bramley neighborhoods, a statement by police Major General Mathapelo Peters read.
The body of a middle-aged man was recovered from a burnt shop. Three police officers were wounded as they tried to nab looters, one is admitted to the hospital.
Incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for calm where he urged South African citizens to express themselves “in peaceful protest” and steer clear of acts that risk lives and shatter the economy.
“People have been intimidated and threatened, and some have even been hurt,” Ramaphosa said, indicating that “some people may have died”.
