July Unrest| Riots sought to cripple South African economy: Ramaphosa

RIOTS and looting that rocked two major cities in July were a “deliberate” effort to derail South Africa’s economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa has told an inquiry.

But he said investigations to find the suspected masterminds behind the country’s deadliest episode since the end of apartheid were still continuing.

“The fundamental cause of the unrest was a deliberate decision by certain individuals to instigate, coordinate and incite widespread destruction of property, violence and looting,” Ramaphosa told the South African Human Rights Commission.

The unrest sought “to cripple the economy” and “severely weaken” the democratic state, he said.

Ramaphosa gave no details as to who in his opinion was behind the violence or what their motives were.

“The identity of these individuals and the motives for their actions are the subject of ongoing investigations and legal proceedings,” he said.

The unrest left more than 350 dead and cost the economy some 50