THE South African police authorities have revised upwards the death toll from recent unrest to 337, acting minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday.
Ntshavheni said SAPS has revised the total number of deaths in Gauteng to 79 and KZN 258, as related to the recent pro-Zuma unrest.
The revision of the records happens when those who were injured ultimately succumb to their injuries.
On Wednesday the death toll had stood at 276.
Ntshavheni said law enforcement agencies are continuing with their investigations to ensure that instigators and key participants in the unrest are brought to book.
There are no new updates in relation to the arrests of instigators and key participant, she said.
The minister said there were no new incidents of destabilisation that have been reported across the two provinces or any other province and government urged the public to regard as fake news claims that there had been incidents along the N1.
Meanwhile, as a result of the violent protests, concerns were raised with regards to food security within SADC as the region relies on South Africa for food supply.
“We want to assure the SADC region that law enforcement agencies posted extra security personnel along the major routes to ensure the proper passage of long-haul logistics trucks and the rail network,” said Ntshavheni.
Ntshavheni said government has engaged food processors and suppliers, farmers, and agri-businesses to ensure the stability of the food supply chain.
The security of food supplies have normalised, mainly across the affected provinces.
Bakeries have reopened and bread, which has been in short supply since the unrest, has been in full supply since the weekend.
Milk supplies are also now available and sugar mills have been operational since Saturday.
Ntshavheni said, meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa and over 100 business leaders have met to discuss the current security situation and assess the damage to infrastructure.
The meeting discussed areas where government and business can work together to rebuild the country in the aftermath of the crisis.
“In the meeting, business leaders and government committed to rebuilding the country and ensuring that poverty and inequality are addressed speedily,” she said.
- Inside Politics
