19 Killed in Gauteng, Death Toll Climbs As Unrest Spirals

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 5:44 PM by Tshepiso Mametela

Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Tuesday confirmed that the death toll in his province has now climbed to 19
10 people reportedly died in a stampede at the Ndofaya Mall in Meadowlands, Soweto, adding to the number of those killed
Makhura said some of those pronounced dead comprised members of a family that participated in the lootings

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David Makhura, the Gauteng Premier, has confirmed that the current death toll in the province is up to 19 after a stampede at Ndofaya Mall in Meadowlands, Soweto, claimed more lives on Tuesday.

Speaking to SABC News as rolling violence and looting in the province spirals, Makhura said 10 people died after a stampede broke out at the shopping centre.

David Makhura, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Sihle Zikalala, Oscar Mabuyane, Death toll, Unrest, Public violence, Looting, Ndofaya Mall, Meadowlands, Soweto — Nineteen people have died in Gauteng amid fears the death toll will climb as public violence and looting continues. Image: Sharon Seretlo/ Gallo Images.
Source: Getty Images

"Ten people at this mall, out of a stampede that took place, have passed on. The people who lost their lives are family members who were out there," explained Makhura.

Death toll in Gauteng and KZN stands at 45, expected to climb

Makhura said some of those pronounced dead had participated in the lootings. Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Premier Sihle Zikalala said riots in the province have, so far, claimed the lives of 26 people.

The toll in the two provinces is expected to grow.

"The latest fatalities confirmed by the Security Cluster in KwaZulu-Natal as of this morning stands at 26," Zikalala told a media briefing.

"These were people that were killed during stampedes as protesters ran riot in areas including Umlazi, KwaMashu, Inanda, Phoenix [among others]."

EC Premier Oscar Mabuyane on edge, asks SANDF to be on high alert

In recent news, Briefly News reported that Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has put out a call that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) be on alert amid looming threats of civil unrest in the province.