World Tour - Protests turn violent in South Africa

MARY REICHARD, HOST: Coming up next on The World and Everything in It: World Tour with our reporter in Africa, Onize Ohikere.

ONIZE OHIKERE, REPORTER: Protests, looting in South Africa—We start today here in Africa.

AUDIO: [Sounds of sirens and people running]

Looters cleaned out several shopping malls in Johannesburg on Monday. That followed protests and riots over the weekend as former President Jacob Zuma began serving a 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court.

At least 45 people have been killed in clashes with police. Officers arrested nearly 500 others.

Current President Cyril Ramaphosa called the violence unprecedented in the country’s post-aparthaid history.

RAMAPHOSA: The path of violence, of looting and anarchy leads only to more violence and devastation, as well as suffering. It leads to more poverty, more unemployment, and more loss of innocent life. This is not who we are as South Africans, this is not us.

Ramaphosa acknowledged the protests had their roots in political frustration and anger. But he blamed the looting and theft on “opportunistic acts of criminality.” He has deployed the country’s military to help stop the violence.

Supporters of the former president gathered last week to prevent police from taking him to prison. A court handed Zuma a 15-month sentence because he refused to testify before a government inquiry into claims of corruption.

He has appealed, and the country’s highest court began hearing his case on Monday.

Sudan reconsiders Russian naval base—Next we go to Sudan.

AL-MAHDI: [Speaking Arabic]

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi visited Moscow on Monday to discuss Russia’s plans to build a naval base on Sudan’s Red Sea coast.

Al-Mahdi said her country’s new government would review the agreement Russian Vladmir Putin signed in 2017 with ousted Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir.

AUDIO: [Man speaking Russian]

Moscow claims the agreement gives it the right to operate a base at Port Sudan for 25 years. It would accommodate up to four ships, including nuclear-powered vessels.

But Sudanese officials say some parts of the agreement could be harmful to the African nation.

Under Omar al-Bashir, Sudan relied heavily on Russian military support. But since his ouster, the country has worked to build stronger ties with the United States.

Pottery piece found in Israel—And finally, we end today in Israel.

AUDIO: [Sound of digging, talking]

Archaeologists have discovered a pottery fragment dating back to the time of Judges.

GARFINKEL: [Speaking Hebrew]

Professor Yossef Garfinkel is with the Israel Antiquities Authority. He says the pottery fragment includes the inscription “Jerubbaal,” another name for Gideon. God called Gideon to fight against the Midianites with 300 men. He won the battle and brought peace to Israel for 40 years.

The pottery piece is the first found at the dig site in southern Israel that dates back to the time of Israel’s judges.

That’s this week’s World Tour. Reporting for WORLD, I’m Onize Ohikere in Abuja, Nigeria.

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