Deadly Riots Cast Pall Over South Africa’s Economic Recovery
- Malls looted, trade route closed as national currency slumps
- Unrests follow the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma
A burnt car in Johannesburg on July 11.
Photographer: Emmanuel Croset/AFP/Getty Images
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Violent protests have dealt a body blow to South Africa’s efforts to rebuild the economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic and pose the sternest test yet to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s authority.
The widespread looting and social unrest that’s followed the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma is damaging business confidence, has disrupted key trade routes and seen businesses from banks and supermarkets to small-time traders shutting their doors. The army has been deployed to help police quell the unrest.