South Africa unrest: Looting continues in Durban, Death toll rises to 212

At least 212 people have died in the violent protests in South Africa that erupted in the wake of former President Jacob Zuma's arrest on July 7, an official announced.

Addressing reporters on Friday, Acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) reported 89 more deaths, bringing the cumulative total to 180 fatalities.

The Minister added that Gauteng, another violence-hit province, reported 32 deaths. The police has arrested 862 people in Gauteng and 1,692 more in KZN, according to the official.

Ntshavheni said the situation in Gauteng and KZN is "gradually, but firmly" returning to normality since Thursday, but it still remains tense in some areas.

The police received reports of 1,488 cases in KZN overnight while no new incidence was reported in Gauteng.

The police arrested two suspects in KZN with 4,000 rounds of ammunition and unlicensed firearms. The number of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployed has increased to 25,000. The deployment will remain until August 12.

They remain in Gauteng's hotspots and have also been deployed in other provinces because "we don't want the instigators to take advantage of other provinces", said the official.

Ntshavheni said the government is working on an immediate plan on ensuring economic recovery.

The N2 and N3 highways have reopened and the transportation of key goods, food, medical supplies and fuel has commenced. The recovery of stolen goods is underway and the police continue to receive tip-offs, she added.

Zuma, once known for his fight against apartheid was imprisoned in the Estcourt Correctional Centre for 15 months for disobeying court orders. Zuma, who is accused of corruption during the tenure as President also dismissed the continuous requests from court as well as to appear in front of the inquiry commission. Later, South Africa's highest constitutional court ordered to arrest Zuma and keep in jail for 15 months citing contempt of court

He denied the corruption charge one which is related $2 billion arms deal in 1999. The other charges are pointed during the his nine year tenure ( 2009-18 ) as president. Zuma on appeared once to the commissioned investigating the charge's. High court denied appeal to former president on Friday. Protests started after the denial with Twitter hashtag campaign #Freezuma. Durban, Petersburg and Johannesburg witnessed the violent protest.

The protesters attacked and looted the Indian own shops and business and houses being targeted in Durban and other two cities. Quoting sources, reports says that more than fifty thousand business were targeted alone in Durban. According to a Times Now report, a total of 212 people have been killed in the past week's violent protest happening in the eastern regions of South Africa while more than 1,200 people have been arrested,

Indian community concentrated in different business including Technology, Supermarkets, motor dealerships, pharmacy and medical centers. Leaders related to Zulu nationalist movement disowned Jacob Zuma.

Indian business tycoons Gupta brothers who are closely associated with Zuma is alleged with corruption and money laundering case. Zuma and Gupta's are closely bounded, reports further classified that Zumas wife, daughter and son worked in the Gupta ventures.Gupta brothers who hails from Saharanpur Utter Pradesh migrated to South Africa in early 90s and established successful business venture's. The critic's coined a term Zupta to denote the controversial relationship.

The commission inquiring the corruption charges said that Zuma allowed Gupta's , to 'plunder state resources' and peddle influence over government policy. This serious set of allegations is known as "state capture " in South Africa.

It was alleged that the Gupta Brothers in 2016 had promised the then Deputy Finance Minister that he would be promoted to the post of Finance Minister if their business interests were put forward in South Africa. Gupta's promise to pay 600 million rand was also controversial.

Meanwhile, former finance minister Praveen Gordon has blamed Gupta Brothers for the ouster of Jacob Zuma from the government.

More than one lakh emails leaked in 2017, clearly proves how much Gupta Brothers had a take on Jacob Zuma government. The reports said that the attack on Indian diaspora in South Africa is due to the alleged involvement of Gupta brothers in the scandal.

Interpol have issued a red notice against Gupta brothers reported to be living in UAE reported BBC