Ramaphosa to address nation amid growing civil unrest

Ramaphosa’s address will come on the back of mass looting, the burning of buildings as well as violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement. 

The unrest is believed to have been sparked by pro-Zuma supporters following the former head of state’s arrest.

This includes protesters that gathered outside the Estcourt Prison in KwaZulu-Natal where Jacob Zuma is serving his prison term.

The situation has since escalated beyond prison gates, gripping other parts of that province and parts of Gauteng.

Ramaphosa now has the difficult task of quelling the runaway protests.

“The President is on record as calling for calm and warning criminal elements that they will face the full might of law as lawlessness is brought to an end and economic activity is allowed to continue,” says acting minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

“The majority of South Africans do not and should not tolerate violence, the  destruction of property and the endangering of livelihoods. People are urged to report criminals by sharing videos of criminal activity with the police.”

Earlier on Monday, the South African army was deployed to the hotspots in both provinces.