South Africa

The country recorded 633 COVID-19 related deaths on Tuesday.

Following the wave of looting and property destruction in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, President Cyril Ramaphosa is this morning meeting political party leaders in a bid to quell the public violence and unrest.

Seventy-two people have as of Tuesday evening died in the ongoing destruction and looting of businesses and violent protests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

Government has called on the public to report incidents of incitement and acts of violence to the police.

With the violent protests taking place in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha says the situation in the province remains calm.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has called on the community and political leaders in the province to join hands with law enforcement agencies to stop the looting and destruction to property in the province.

Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, says the President will only declare a State of Emergency when the need arises.

Outlining KwaZulu-Natal's plans to deal with the spate of violent protests, Premier Sihle Zikalala has assured citizens that government is working hard to stop these riots.

The Department of Correctional Services says an attack on two officials at Durban Correctional Centre was thwarted this morning.

Swift State Security intelligence intervention spared the Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces from further destruction of businesses and public infrastructure.

Government has issued a stern warning to those inciting violence and disregard of the law with inflammatory messages on social media.

Over 757 people have over the past five days been arrested for the wanton destruction and looting of businesses and properties.

South Africa detected 11 182 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, while 220 more people succumbed to the illness.

As violent looting and damage to businesses and infrastructure continue in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, police had by Monday evening arrested 489 people.

As chaotic scenes played out in pockets of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, leaving many businesses gutted and looted by protesters, President Cyril Ramaphosa said it is of vital importance that calm and stability is restored without delay.