The South African government has announced the release of 36.1-billion-rand, equivalent to 2.4 billion dollars from the treasury to support businesses affected by the recent unrest in the country.
Although calm has returned to the two major provinces worst affected by the violent protest that followed the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma – citizens continue to count the impact and losses on the economy and livelihoods.
More than 200 shops were looted and vandalized during the period of the violence that killed over 300 people and had the police arrest close to 3000 persons in connection with the vandalism and destruction of property.
The country’s minster of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi, addressing the media on Wednesday – mentioned the governments intervention plans to retrain affected workers and redirect them into other industries.
