South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday 13 July 2021

Keep up to date with the latest news happening in South Africa on Tuesday 13 July. Here are the stories making waves across the country.

Yesterday, Monday 12 July, was a monumental day for South Africans as sporadic riots broke out across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng with fears of violence spreading to other provinces. President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken the extraordinary step of calling on the SANDF to help police and law enforcement agencies to protect lives and property. But is it enough, and is it too late?

In a special address last night, Ramaphosa confirmed that the army is being deployed to key riot hot spots in KZN and Gauteng.

TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Tuesday 13 July

Ramaphosa confirms SANDF will be deployed in KZN, Gauteng

President Cyril Ramaphosa has told South Africans ‘the army will be sent in’ to quell the violent riots that have gripped both KZN and Gauteng, in the aftermath of Jacob Zuma’s incarceration. The SANDF deployment will take place this week, and it is hoped that our collective of soldiers can help restore law and order to each region.

The sheer scale of destruction across these two provinces has been immense. Malls, stores, and shopping centres have all been ransacked – and the unrest has even forced vaccination centres to close down. There is fear on the streets of South Africa, as thousands continue to loot and steal during these lawless protests.

The President moved to condemn the scenes of violence on Monday, reminding those involved in looting that there will be criminal consequences for many people over the coming days. Several people have also lost their lives as a result of these riots, and the fatal consequences were acknowledged by a visibly emotional Ramaphosa.

Riots will threaten food security ‘within a matter of weeks’

Addressing the nation for the second time in consecutive days, President Cyril Ramaphosa warned that recent violence and damage to infrastructure caused by criminals participating in riots in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng since Saturday is soon going to lead to severe food and healthcare shortages, with trucks and supply chains, as well as businesses having fallen victim to vandalism and looting.

Earlier on Monday, Ramaphosa deployed the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to provide to members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) as they try and combat rampant looting and vandalism, which Ramaphosa said may spill over to other provinces.

Watch: KZN communities take up arms – and FIGHT BACK against looters

Citizens in KZN have decided to take a stand against the uncontrollable rioting that has engulfed parts of South Africa. A series of videos posted online earlier today show various communities arming themselves up, protecting stores and businesses from the swathes of looters.

Mayhem erupted last week, shortly after Jacob Zuma was taken to jail. Protests became large-scale riots, and over the past 48 hours or so, looters have decided to target shops and destroy various properties. SAPS has been overwhelmed with the sheer scale of the violence, and several people have been killed as a direct result of this unrest.

SASSA suspends payments COUNTRYWIDE ‘until further notice’

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has suspended payments at cash paypoints due to the escalating unrest in the country.

In several parts of the country key infrastructure like national roads have been affected, slowing down the transportation of goods and services that keep our economy running. Property has been destroyed. Cars have been stoned. People have been intimidated and threatened, and some have even been hurt.

In a statement released on Monday, SASSA said the Cash In Transit (CIT) industry informed them that they will not be providing any cash delivery services to SASSA cash pay points until further notice.

“Beneficiaries are urged to remain calm and await communication as to when the payment at pay points will resume. SASSA beneficiaries are reminded that their cards can be used to purchase goods or receive cash from merchants or bank ATMs.

WATCH: Snow falls at the Matroosberg Nature Reserve near Cape Town

Snow is falling in the Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve – located two hours outside Cape Town on the Erfdeel farm – on Monday afternoon, 12 July. The Reserve predicted that the cold front currently engulfing the Cape provinces would bring the first “decent snow of 2021” earlier on Monday and by the afternoon it reported that snow was falling at its reception.

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) said that a strong cold front would make landfall in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape on Monday, bringing wet, windy and cold conditions to the Cape provinces.

The weather service said that there is a possibility of snowfalls that may be as deep as 5 to 15 centimetres over the western mountains of the Western Cape as well as the southern high ground of the Northern Cape.

Lesego Semenya aka LesDaChef dies from COVID-19

Celebrity chef, cookbook author, and award-winning TV personality Lesego Semenya aka LesDaChef has reportedly died after a battle with COVID-19.

The news about his death was announced on Twitter on Monday morning. This comes after he tweeted last week that he had tested positive for Covid-19 and that he was hoping for the best as he had a co-morbidity.

LATEST NEWS: WEATHER FORECAST, Tuesday 13 JULY

Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.

LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG AND DURBAN

Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.

HOROSCOPE TODAY

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip and lucky numbers for Tuesday 13 July.