Inside Story

What triggered the recent violence in South Africa?

Days of unrest in South African have exposed issues of poverty and inequality.

It is some of the worst violence South Africa has seen since the end of apartheid in the 1990s.

There have been days of protests, looting and rioting across the country. Although it was sparked by the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma – the crisis has exposed the deeper issues of poverty and inequality.

Angry crowds have looted shops, burned down businesses, and disrupted supply chains.

There are fears now some areas could run out of food as a result.

So how will the government tackle this crisis?

Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault

Guests:

Bongani Mbindwane – Member of the African National Congress and a former national security adviser to the police minister in South Africa

Floyd Shivambu – Deputy president of the Economic Freedom Fighters Party and a member of parliament

Tim Murithi – Professor of African Studies at the University of Free State and head of programme at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation