Violence in South Africa: Over 75,000 jobs affected

More than 75,000 jobs have been affected by the violence and looting that recently ravaged several regions in South Africa, the South African government said Wednesday night.

The impact of these events on employees, particularly in the provinces of Gauteng (Pretoria and Johannesburg) and KwaZulu-Natal (Durban and Pietermaritzburg), has resulted in “either temporary suspensions or dismissals,” said Minister of Labor and Employment Thulas Nxesi in a press briefing.

To help those who lost their jobs during the riots, the government plans to use the “basket of benefits” available through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), he added.

However, because government funds are limited, the criteria for determining who is eligible for assistance will be strict, and payment will be based on available resources.

South Africa has lost more than 50 billion rand (more than $3 billion) to violence and looting in several parts of the country since former South African President Jacob Zuma was jailed for contempt of court.

Acting Minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said nearly 200 shopping centers, 300 stores, 1,400 ATMs, 300 banks and post offices, and 120 pharmacies were vandalized and looted in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

The human toll was also very high, with no fewer than 330 people killed, mainly as a result of the stampedes that took place during the looting of shopping centers.