July unrest had no link to Zuma's arrest for contempt of court, finds SAHRC

JOHANNESBURG - THE South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says the July 2021 unrest had no direct link to the arrest of former statesman Jacob Zuma. 

The commission released its report of findings from a probe into the violent unrest on Monday. 

It strongly believes that Zuma’s arrest for contempt of court merely coincided with the looting. 

Over 300 people died during the unrest with the country’s economy losing around R50 billion. 

While the unrest happened days after Zuma supporters held pickets demanding his release from the Escort correctional facility the commission found that the looting had no direct link to Zuma.

SAHRC commissioner Philie Ntuli: “While the timing of the events of the July unrest coincided with the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma, it could not find evidence to link the two.” 

Ntuli, however, said the unrest may have been a plan to sabotage the economy.

“It is probable that the unrest was undertaken to destabilise the South African economy.” 

The commission said it would leave this to the police and the National Prosecuting Authority to make a conclusive finding regarding who planned the unrest.