Afternoon Drive with John Maytham

We speak to Mary de Haas, an honorary research fellow with a special focus on violence, based at the University of KZN, about the ongoing protests and looting in the province.

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It appears that an uneasy calm has returned to parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng after almost a week of violence that saw widespread protest, looting, destruction of property, sabotage, and a loss of life.

The violence resulted in a disruption to supply chains that are essential for the country’s basic functioning, including energy, food, and other supplies.

Yesterday,  Shell and BP South African Petroleum Refineries, whose suppliers have suspended deliveries, became the latest to announce a temporary halt in operations.

With concerns over a potential shortage of fuel, the government has outlawed the sale of petrol and diesel in portable containers and discouraged panic-buying.

We speak to Reggie Sibiya, the CEO of the Fuel Retailers Association, for an update.

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Our weekly chat with the Daily Maverick's Rebecca Davis about stories in the news.

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It appears that an uneasy calm has returned to parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng after almost a week of violence and looting.

More than 70 people have died and some 1,200 others have been arrested in the unrest that began with protests over the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma.

The number of soldiers deployed in the two provinces has been increased to 25,000, and this morning all SANDF reserve members were ordered to report to their units.

Over the past few days, some citizens have been urging the government to declare a state of emergency to allow the government to deal more effectively with the situation.

But Pierre de Vos, the Claude Leon Foundation Chair in Constitutional governance and constitutional law at UCT, says he believes this will not be a 'magic bullet' to bring an end to the looting and violence.

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The British & Irish Lions tour has hit another snag this week as the visitors monitored the unfolding social unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng with growing concern.

The team was moved from a hotel in the Overberg to the southern suburbs after being assured of their safety amid the current political and social upheaval. 

We speak to the Daily Maverick's sports editor, Craig Ray, who is heading into a match between the tourists and the South African A team at the Cape Town stadium.

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At least 1 person has died and more than a 100 are missing following demonstrations in Cuba over food shortages, high prices, and other grievances against the government.

The police have accused demonstrators of vandalising houses, setting fires, and damaging power lines.

 There have been reports that that scores of activists, protesters, and journalists have been detained as Communist party security forces seek to bring an end to the rare dissent.

We speak to Katrin Hansing, a fellow at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies, GIGA, and a professor of anthropology at City University in New York. 

She has just returned from Cuba where she spent the last 2 years doing research.

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We speak to Daylin Mitchell, the Western Cape's MEC for Transport and Public Works about the ongoing spate of taxi violence in the Cape.  He said another 3 passengers sustained wounds from gunshots today.

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We speak to Janis Holmes, the DA councillor for Ward 2 in uMngeni which covers the Howick CBD about an initiative to starting to clean up the town following the riots. 

She says it began with about five people, including herself, cleaning up  and they were soon joined by two shopkeepers and then a few other older Howick residents.

Cleaning continued this morning.

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Guest: Peter Fabricius

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