Good morning, here’s what you need to know today:
A year on from the deadliest riots in the history of democratic South Africa we are still no closer to knowing who was behind the July 2021 unrest, security experts fear a second insurrection is imminent, and Japan’s former prime minister has been shot while delivering a speech.
JULY UNREST | One year on, SA still doesn’t know who masterminded the chaos – News24 (for subscribers)
There were 354 deaths, around R50 billion in damages, 150 000 jobs lost, and one year later there are still zero convictions in what was the deadliest unrest in South Africa since the dawn of democracy.
In July 2021, rioting and looting broke out in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng following the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma who handed himself over after being found guilty of contempt of court for refusing to appear in front of the Zondo Commission.
Zuma’s incarceration climaxed in protests that turned violent as looting broke out in two of the country’s key provinces.
But a year later, the families of those who lost loved ones in the unrest still have no justice as no one has been convicted for orchestrating the riots while we are no closer to knowing who exactly the masterminds were behind the eight days of chaos that threatened the fabric of society. Read more here.
Cash/Guns/Ammo/Comms: SA on the verge of another insurrection, security experts warn – Daily Maverick
Meanwhile, security experts have warned that the country is on the precipice of a repeat of last July’s unrest.
Daily Maverick reports the government was warned about the July 2021 riots months in advance, but they did not heed the signs and the publication has spoken to key sources with ties to the State Security Agency, Police Crime intelligence, the military and the Hawks who say it could all happen again.
All have said that there will likely be a repeat scenario, this time marked by guerrilla-style sabotage and driven by a pro-Zuma radical economic transformation faction who have one aim: to keep Jacob Zuma and his allies implicated in the State Capture report out of prison. Read more here.
Shinzo Abe shooting: former Japanese prime minister attacked during speech – The Guardian
Japan’s longest-serving prime minister until he resigned in 2020, Shinzo Abe, was shot from behind by a shotgun after delivering a speech in the western city of Nara, Japan.
Police say Abe is in a “state of cardiopulmonary arrest.”
Abe fell to the ground and appeared to be clutching at his bleeding chest following the gun attack on Friday morning. Japanese broadcaster, NHK, reports that firefighters on the scene said Abe showed no vital signs.
NHK said a suspect, named by police as Tetsuya Yamagami, a resident of Nara in his 40s, had been taken into custody but provided no further details. Read more here.
Here’s what else we’re reading today:
EDITORIAL | How can hundreds of people be murdered and no-one held accountable? – TimesLIVE Premium
Small businesses still trying to rebuild one year after July unrest – SABC News
City of Tshwane meets deadline to pay almost R 900-million debt to Eskom – SABC News
‘Lion’s share of JSE returns comes from exposure to China, partly via Naspers’ – EWN
Acting Public Protector explains the decision to withdraw Mkhwebane’s court challenge – News24
Chaos and abuse at Gordhan event as he warns of State Capture 2.0 – News24
The rand is taking a beating – here are 10 countries where it’s still stronger – BusinessTech
UK Conservatives say ‘toxic’ Johnson should be replaced immediately – TimesLIVE
Ghislaine Maxwell appeals sex trafficking conviction and 20-year sentence – Daily Maverick
US jury convicts former Theranos executive Sunny Balwani of fraud – Daily Maverick
(Photo by Gallo Images/City Press/Tebogo Letsie)
