Southern Africa

South Africa slams AU's 'unjust decision' to give Israel observer status

The AU Commission took the "decision unilaterally without" consulting its members, South Africa says.

South Africa’s Biovac to manufacture Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines for Africa

The South African firm will begin producing the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in 2022 and all will be marked for distribution for countries under the African Union.

What is South Africa’s ‘inevitable showdown’ really about?

This crisis presents the chance for the government to accelerate the undoing of the country’s corruption and apartheid inheritance — otherwise risk its survival.

Zuma's arms deal corruption trial resumes after deadly South Africa riots

The former South African president's latest hearing is being held virtually over fears of fresh protests after last week's unrest over his jail term left more than 200 dead.

Calm restored to most affected areas in South Africa after 'week from hell'

Unrest swiftly degenerated into looting which destroyed hundreds of businesses and killed over 200 people, driven by widespread anger over the poverty and inequality that persist nearly three decades after the end of white minority rule.

South Africa's president visits epicentre of unrest, says it was 'planned'

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says deadly violence and looting that have shaken the country over the past week were planned as death toll mounts to 212.

South Africa riots ebb, more troops expected after over 70 killed in unrest

Violence initially started over the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma last week over a corruption inquiry driven by widespread anger over hardship and inequality that nearly three decades of democracy failed to address.

Death toll rises as looting, violence spreads in South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed soldiers to help police halt the violence and looting sparked by the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma. At least 72 people have been killed in the ongoing violence.

Deadly unrest and looting reflect South Africa’s chronic problems

Protests against the imprisonment of former President Zuma have dramatically turned to full-blown deadly unrest, unleashing looting and arson in multiple cities.

South Africa’s Zuma challenges jail term as supporters riot

At least six people died amid violence and rioting as the Constitutional Court heard an application to review its landmark decision to jail former president Jacob Zuma for contempt of court.

South Africa's Zuma hands himself over to police to serve prison term

Former South African president Jacob Zuma handed himself over to authorities to obey the country's highest court order that he should serve a 15-month prison term for contempt.

South Africa's ex-leader Zuma to appeal jail term, will not surrender

The court gave him five days to surrender to the authorities, which made the deadline Sunday but it agreed to hear his legal challenge to rescind the order.