EPP2601
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 20 March 2026
QUESTION 1
INFORMATIONAL AND ANALYTICAL REPORT ON THE JULY 2021 UNREST IN SOUTH
AFRICA
1. Introduction
In July 2021 South Africa experienced one of the most severe periods of civil unrest since
the end of apartheid. The unrest took place between 9 and 17 July 2021 and mainly affected
KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng province. The events were characterised by
widespread protests, looting of businesses, destruction of infrastructure and disruption of
important economic activities. The unrest created major social and economic challenges for
the country and affected thousands of businesses and communities.
The protests were initially triggered by political tensions following the imprisonment of former
president Jacob Zuma. However, the unrest quickly developed into widespread criminal
activities such as looting, vandalism and destruction of property. The events caused serious
damage to the economy, disrupted supply chains and placed many jobs at risk. Businesses,
communities and government institutions were forced to respond to the crisis while Termsalso
of use
By
dealing with the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
Case study: The 2021 July unrest saga
During the period 9 to 17 July 2021, South Africa experienced violent protests and socio-
political unrest which were characterised by widespread violent protests, rioting and
looting of shops and businesses, and destruction of public facilities and private property in
parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This unrest spread to parts of Gauteng province during the
same period. The protests resulted in extensive damage to the economy and businesses,
while threatening the lives and livelihoods of people who were already struggling with the
effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The protests resulted in the loss of property, business stock, employment, livelihoods, and
essential services such as medical and pharmaceutical supplies in hospitals and clinics.
Farming, financial services facilities, telecommunications infrastructure, food distribution
centres and seaports were also affected. The unrest also disrupted critical government
programmes, including the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
The looting, arson and destruction of business premises caused significant financial and
infrastructural losses. The South African Property Owners’ Association (SAPOA) reported
that approximately 3 000 stores were looted, and 1 199 retail stores were damaged during
the protests. These included large retail outlets and businesses. A total of 161 malls were
damaged countrywide, while 161 liquor outlets and distributors, 11 warehouses and eight
factories were extensively damaged.
Banking services were also affected, as many banks in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng were
forced to close their branches. In total, an estimated 40 000 businesses and 50 000
informal traders were affected by the unrest. Approximately 150 000 jobs were put at risk,
mainly due to business closures and delays in restocking and reopening.
On a national scale, SAPOA estimated that the total damage amounted to approximately
R50 billion. The KZN province alone suffered losses of about R20 billion, while businesses
in Durban lost stock valued at about R1.5 billion.
Large supermarket chains and wholesalers were particularly targeted during the unrest.
For example, the Shoprite Group reported that out of its 1 189 supermarkets, a total of 200
stores were looted, vandalised or burnt in KZN and Gauteng. These included 69 Shoprite
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
supermarkets, 54 Shoprite Liquor Shop outlets, 44 Usave stores, 35 furniture stores, six
Checkers supermarkets, one Checkers Hyper and one Freshmark Distribution Centre.
Similarly, Massmart Holdings Limited reported that 41 of its stores were looted in KZN and
Gauteng, while four facilities were burnt and damaged. These incidents resulted in severe
food shortages and supply disruptions of basic commodities in the affected provinces.
The government eventually managed to restore calm after deploying the South African
National Defence Force (SANDF) to KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng between 12 and 14 July
2021 as part of Operation Prosper, following a request by the National Joint Operational
and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS).
The events of the July 2021 unrest provide important lessons for government, businesses,
communities and society regarding the prevention, management and resolution of socio-
political unrest in the future.
QUESTION 1
INFORMATIONAL AND ANALYTICAL REPORT ON THE JULY 2021 UNREST IN
SOUTH AFRICA
1. Introduction
In July 2021 South Africa experienced one of the most severe periods of civil unrest since
the end of apartheid. The unrest took place between 9 and 17 July 2021 and mainly
affected KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng province. The events were characterised by
widespread protests, looting of businesses, destruction of infrastructure and disruption of
important economic activities. The unrest created major social and economic challenges
for the country and affected thousands of businesses and communities.
The protests were initially triggered by political tensions following the imprisonment of
former president Jacob Zuma. However, the unrest quickly developed into widespread
criminal activities such as looting, vandalism and destruction of property. The events
caused serious damage to the economy, disrupted supply chains and placed many jobs at
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 20 March 2026
QUESTION 1
INFORMATIONAL AND ANALYTICAL REPORT ON THE JULY 2021 UNREST IN SOUTH
AFRICA
1. Introduction
In July 2021 South Africa experienced one of the most severe periods of civil unrest since
the end of apartheid. The unrest took place between 9 and 17 July 2021 and mainly affected
KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng province. The events were characterised by
widespread protests, looting of businesses, destruction of infrastructure and disruption of
important economic activities. The unrest created major social and economic challenges for
the country and affected thousands of businesses and communities.
The protests were initially triggered by political tensions following the imprisonment of former
president Jacob Zuma. However, the unrest quickly developed into widespread criminal
activities such as looting, vandalism and destruction of property. The events caused serious
damage to the economy, disrupted supply chains and placed many jobs at risk. Businesses,
communities and government institutions were forced to respond to the crisis while Termsalso
of use
By
dealing with the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
Case study: The 2021 July unrest saga
During the period 9 to 17 July 2021, South Africa experienced violent protests and socio-
political unrest which were characterised by widespread violent protests, rioting and
looting of shops and businesses, and destruction of public facilities and private property in
parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). This unrest spread to parts of Gauteng province during the
same period. The protests resulted in extensive damage to the economy and businesses,
while threatening the lives and livelihoods of people who were already struggling with the
effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The protests resulted in the loss of property, business stock, employment, livelihoods, and
essential services such as medical and pharmaceutical supplies in hospitals and clinics.
Farming, financial services facilities, telecommunications infrastructure, food distribution
centres and seaports were also affected. The unrest also disrupted critical government
programmes, including the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
The looting, arson and destruction of business premises caused significant financial and
infrastructural losses. The South African Property Owners’ Association (SAPOA) reported
that approximately 3 000 stores were looted, and 1 199 retail stores were damaged during
the protests. These included large retail outlets and businesses. A total of 161 malls were
damaged countrywide, while 161 liquor outlets and distributors, 11 warehouses and eight
factories were extensively damaged.
Banking services were also affected, as many banks in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng were
forced to close their branches. In total, an estimated 40 000 businesses and 50 000
informal traders were affected by the unrest. Approximately 150 000 jobs were put at risk,
mainly due to business closures and delays in restocking and reopening.
On a national scale, SAPOA estimated that the total damage amounted to approximately
R50 billion. The KZN province alone suffered losses of about R20 billion, while businesses
in Durban lost stock valued at about R1.5 billion.
Large supermarket chains and wholesalers were particularly targeted during the unrest.
For example, the Shoprite Group reported that out of its 1 189 supermarkets, a total of 200
stores were looted, vandalised or burnt in KZN and Gauteng. These included 69 Shoprite
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
supermarkets, 54 Shoprite Liquor Shop outlets, 44 Usave stores, 35 furniture stores, six
Checkers supermarkets, one Checkers Hyper and one Freshmark Distribution Centre.
Similarly, Massmart Holdings Limited reported that 41 of its stores were looted in KZN and
Gauteng, while four facilities were burnt and damaged. These incidents resulted in severe
food shortages and supply disruptions of basic commodities in the affected provinces.
The government eventually managed to restore calm after deploying the South African
National Defence Force (SANDF) to KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng between 12 and 14 July
2021 as part of Operation Prosper, following a request by the National Joint Operational
and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS).
The events of the July 2021 unrest provide important lessons for government, businesses,
communities and society regarding the prevention, management and resolution of socio-
political unrest in the future.
QUESTION 1
INFORMATIONAL AND ANALYTICAL REPORT ON THE JULY 2021 UNREST IN
SOUTH AFRICA
1. Introduction
In July 2021 South Africa experienced one of the most severe periods of civil unrest since
the end of apartheid. The unrest took place between 9 and 17 July 2021 and mainly
affected KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng province. The events were characterised by
widespread protests, looting of businesses, destruction of infrastructure and disruption of
important economic activities. The unrest created major social and economic challenges
for the country and affected thousands of businesses and communities.
The protests were initially triggered by political tensions following the imprisonment of
former president Jacob Zuma. However, the unrest quickly developed into widespread
criminal activities such as looting, vandalism and destruction of property. The events
caused serious damage to the economy, disrupted supply chains and placed many jobs at
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
