JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- The unrest that took place in South Africa in July 2021 was "a well-orchestrated and a violent culmination of deep-rooted political and social challenges" that the country had been facing, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said Monday in its investigation report on the unrest.
"Evidence indicated that the acts during the unrest were well-orchestrated, including the blocking of the N3 road, destruction of factories and warehouses, attack on government communication facilities, and bombing and theft of ATMs. These events were interconnected and required significant resources," said the report, which was released in Durban.
The unrest unfolded in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces and resulted in more than 350 deaths, according to the report, which noted that the violence and destruction also caused damage to infrastructure and businesses, costing South Africa's economy some 50 billion rand (about 2.66 billion U.S. dollars).
Speaking at the release of the report, SAHRC Commissioner Philile Ntuli said the commission found that myriad factors contributed to the outbreak of destruction and violence during the unrest. "Two types of actors were identified during the unrest: primary actors, who led and executed widespread destruction, and secondary actors, who participated in theft."
"The timing of the events coincided with the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma, leading to a perception that the two were related. However, it was not possible to find evidence to link the two events," Ntuli said. "Building a united, inclusive, safe and prosperous South Africa requires confronting the past, acknowledging present challenges, and working together for positive change. The unrest was a wake-up call, nudging us all to the reality of the fragility of the peace and security that some enjoy." ■