South Africa’s Parliament to investigate recent violence

South Africa’s Parliament will probe into the recent violence witnessed in KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng provinces that resulted in loss of lives, vandalism and looting.

National Assembly House Chairperson responsible for Committees, Cedric Frolick, said the probe will start as soon as possible.

“The visit by the parliamentary committees in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng last week raised more questions than answers after seeing the devastation that was caused by the looting and the rioting that took place. Absolute mayhem of property being destroyed and lives lost. It became clear to us that we require more information.” Frolick said.

“We have come to the conclusion that it will be important to convene a committee of police as well as the committee in the [National] Council of Provinces to start digging deeper to find out why we are still sitting with unexplained questions.”

“It can be done in a relatively short space of time so that when Parliament reconvenes on the 18th of August there should be an interim [report] available from all these different committees.” The Chairperson added.

The South African government, however, said that ten suspects were on Monday remanded in custody for their alleged role in the recent unrest in greater Durban.

The suspects, who appeared before the Verulam Magistrate’s Court, face charges ranging from murder, attempted murder, malicious damage to property, possession of stolen goods, as well as the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in KwaZulu-Natal, Natasha Kara, said the matter was held in camera to protect the identity of the accused persons as identity parades were yet to be conducted.

The unrest claimed over 330 lives in the two provinces: KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng.

Olajumoke Adeleke/CGTN