South Africa: Looting and Civil Unrest
Join the 7 Days of Prayer for South Africa
This report was prepared with grateful thanks to the input of 7 colleagues, Pastors and a Bishop in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Limpopo and Western Cape Provinces, South Africa.
Please pray against a spirit of violence and disruption threatening the peace and stability of the nation of South Africa. It started following the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma last week. However, it is widely understood that the root of the ongoing situation is criminal rather than political.
KwaZulu Natal & Gauteng provinces are hotspots at present but there are fears that it may spread to other regions. 45 people have died and 757+ have been arrested during riots and looting sprees over these past 5 days.
As we are preparing this Prayer Alert we are receiving reports of the use of rubber bullets by the forces to deter looters around Johannesburg. Durban has pockets of unrest with occasional gunfire being heard.
Across Gauteng Province, shops and businesses remain closed (in the Towns and Cities). In the Townships, shops have been looted, emptied and destroyed. There is no bread and milk and people are boarding taxis to the towns and cities to buy essential groceries. Township Garages are closed, cars are travelling long distances seeking fuel. It remains very tense. There are reports of continued looting in Soweto and Orange Farms Townships. Elsewhere, we are hearing of live ammunition being used by security forces.
On Monday, 10 people lost their lives in a stampede of looters at a shopping mall in Soweto. A policeman is among those killed.
South Africa has been on the crest of a devastating third wave of covid-19 with huge pressures on the medical services and hospitals. Recent lockdowns have had a severe impact on the poor, many of whom live on what they earn in cash each day, and as a consequence, have gone hungry.
The churches have been prevented from meeting for 4 weeks with good government intent, due to the covid lockdown, although many have questioned the basis of the decision. This has caused isolation among poor communities and reduced the often meagre income of the pastors to virtually nothing. IPC regional representatives are endeavouring to mobilise prayer and to encourage the churches in these two provinces.
Additionally, there have been increased continuous power cuts (load-shedding of electricity) for up to 24 hours at a time causing much anger among the people.
As well as the widespread looting & vandalism of shopping malls there are incidences of attacks on road traffic and looting and damage at schools and farms. The repair will likely cost South Africa many millions amidst what is an already shaky economy.
It is believed that this is a backlash to a lot of evil & corruption being exposed over the past year as well as Kingdom breakthroughs.
Pray that the Church will arise, proclaim the truth of God’s Word and also the prophetic destiny of South Africa!
Let’s Pray for South Africa:
- That the looting, violence and civil unrest will stop and peace will return to the streets.
- For the Police Force and the Defense Force that they will be able to restore and maintain order.
- That the South African people will not respond in fear but stay calm, focused and be in a position where we anchor ourselves in the Lord.
- That food and fuel supplies will be delivered to all those who need them.
- For resolutions to be found for the underlying social and economic problems.
- For the creation of more jobs in South Africa. There is a very high unemployment rate.
- For the Churches to be able to gather again and Pray together - 'Together we will stand, divided we will fall'
- That the covid vaccinations and medical services will be restored to their intended levels.
- For the President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Government and the Police of South Africa to lead, govern and administer justice with wisdom and integrity, standing against corruption.
- That we are able to seek God as a nation during this time. Pray for the hearts of our leaders to turn back to God. (2 Chron 7:14)
- Let's pray Psalm 140 with (and for) the people of South Africa