South Africa saw widespread violence between 9 and 18 July 2021. More than 354 people died, and businesses lost about R50 billion.
Today marks the fourth anniversary, yet many wounds remain open. Families mourn, shops rebuild, and citizens still fear renewed unrest.
Experts warn that the same security gaps which failed in 2021 could fail again.
H2: Crime intelligence remains brittle
KwaZulu-Natal commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi says police coordination is still weak. Opposition oversight chair Ian Cameron echoes him, noting little extra staff or gear since the riots.
Sources inside the unit claim limited funding blocks vital informer payments. They argue that internal power games drain resources and lower morale.
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H3: Officers describe inside turmoil
One frontline officer recalls brief progress in 2021, then sharp decline.
He blames senior officials who allegedly diverted “secret funds” and spied on rivals.
With budgets drained, teams cannot trace syndicates or map protest plans.
Rank-and-file members feel abandoned and hesitant to act without clear orders.
H3: KwaZulu-Natal still sees flashpoints
Violence monitor Mary de Haas warns of “unknown forces” sowing fear.
She cites threats that fresh riots will start if leaders target certain officers.
This week, looters stripped a rice truck on the N3 within minutes. The scene revived memories of malls emptied in 2021.
Analysts see the event as proof that opportunistic theft needs only a spark.
H2: Private security fills the gap
Dragon Protection founder Manhar Parshotam says firms, not police, held lines in 2021.
He remembers looters near Berea Centre moving “like a Comrades Marathon crowd”.
Private guards now brace for copycat actions, yet they lack arrest powers.
Without a stronger state response, residents may lean even more on paid patrols.
H3: Missed warnings and red tape
Former minister Bheki Cele told a 2022 inquiry that key tips never reached stations.
He said legal hurdles kept millions in hi-tech tools locked in storerooms.
Crime expert Calvin Rafadi believes the unrest was planned to exploit job losses and drug abuse.
He argues that slow intelligence sharing let gangs and agitators move freely.
H2: What has changed?
Some leaders face court over alleged incitement. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla appeared in January 2025 on such charges.
Yet structural reform is limited. Funding shortfalls continue, and senior posts rotate often.
Parliamentary committees demand clear deadlines, but no detailed turnaround plan exists.
Observers fear another shock could again overwhelm stretched officers.
H3: Key riot facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9–18 July 2021 |
| Provinces hit | KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng |
| Official deaths | 354 people |
| Estimated damage | R50 billion |
Sources: South African Government history page; Reuters estimates.
H2: Looking forward
Communities ask for honest leadership, steady budgets, and quick intelligence fixes.
Lawmakers plan hearings on informer funding and digital surveillance rules.
Until actions match promises, many South Africans will watch the horizon with caution.
The nation cannot afford another week like July 2021.
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