‘It’s a War Zone’: South African Army Activates All Reserve Members Amid Widespread Looting

Stick-wielding rioters and looters march through the streets in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 11, 2021. Sumaya Hisham/Reuters

The South African government has activated all army reserves and will deploy up to 25,000 troops to quell deadly civil unrest, looting, and rioting across the country.

The country’s defense minister, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, told Parliament she had “now submitted a request for deployment of about 25,000 members” to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, according to local media.