What are the reasons for the looting of shops malls and the destruction of business property in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal?

Brokerage has been a central feature of the current looting spree in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Supporters of Jacob Zuma have been actively encouraging South Africans to engage in acts of violence and civil disobedience. Individuals who are more prone to violence and criminal offending tend to initiate the looting.

How has looting affected South Africa?

The riots and looting resulted in food shortages, fuel shortages and medical supply shortages. Kwa Zulu Natal and Gauteng account for more than half of South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and during the riots on the 12 July, the Rand, local currency, weakened by about 2\% affecting the economy.

Is looting a crime in South Africa?

Holding protest actions in South Africa is legal and is the accepted method of showing discontent with issues in the Country. However, destruction of privately owned businesses and the violence of looting is not allowed in terms of South African law and remains to be a criminal offense.

How looting of shops and malls will affect businesses?

Therefore, looting of shops and malls will affect businesses because the shops will be closed and there won’t be profits or people, and since a shop is not running it cannot be socially responsible.

How the looting of shops and malls will affect businesses in terms of the relationship?

Once the shops and malls are looted, the business owners won’t feel safe to do their business in that place and they will choose to close up their shops since their efforts and profits will get stolen by these looters.

What caused the looting in South Africa?

Resulting protests against the incarceration triggered wider rioting and looting, much of it said to be undertaken by people not in support of Zuma and fuelled by job layoffs and economic inequality worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

What caused the violence in Gauteng?

Civil unrest occurred in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces from 9 to 18 July 2021, sparked by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma for contempt of court.

What’s the punishment for looting?

Penalties for felony or misdemeanor looting typically include a mix of jail or prison, fines, probation, community service, and restitution. Jail or prison. Misdemeanor looting carries up to a year (or 364 days in some states) in local jail. Defendants charged with felony looting face more than a year in state prison.