VIOLENCE that erupted in South Africa this month has claimed 330 lives, as per the latest update from the government.
Looting and rioting broke out in KwaZulu-Natal on July 9, the day after former president Jacob Zuma was jailed for contempt of court. The unrest later spread to Johannesburg, the economic capital.
AROUND 40,000 South African businesses were looted and burnt during riots, as per the government figure.
This has given another blow to the country’s economy which is already struggling with the coronavirus pandemic.
Total loss to the national economy is estimated at 50 billion rand (£2.5bn), as per government data.
On June 29, Zuma was sentenced for failing to appear at the corruption inquiry led by deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo in February.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the looting as an orchestrated attempt by Zuma’s supporters to destabilise the country.
Meanwhile, Zuma was granted compassionate leave from prison on Thursday (22) to attend his brother's funeral, news agency AFP reported.
Zuma's brother, Michael, died aged 77 after a long illness, according to local media.
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)