The Capital has yet to descend into a state of anarchy but many fear it is only a matter of time. The city, which is home to the Presidency is geared up to take on any potential threats as police have been deployed to various areas and many businesses have been closed as a precautionary measure.

Rumours emerged yesterday that the Mall of Africa had become the next target for looters and the mall was evacuated around 2pm but by 5pm SAPS confirmed that no looting was taking place in the Midrand area.

On Monday, the city woke up to riots in Hammanskraal and the burning of tyres, while in Olievenhoutbosch the Shoprite was completely looted as well as a local butcher.

By Monday evening, Mamelodi, East of Pretoria became a target and the entire Mamelodi Mall was looted, videos showed scenes of violence and flames just outside the mall as the KFC went up in flames.

In Centurion, a few protesters started burning tyres at the entrance of Itireleng township on Monday night, but the crowd was warded off quickly by community policing members.

To date, at least 45 people have been killed in the unrest and jobs and infrastructure worth hundreds of millions of rands has been destroyed.

#ShutdownSA and #SouthAfricaisBurning has been trending on Twitter for days

#SouthAfricaIsBurning which is even more reason my Jacob Zuma should remain in prison. The judiciary will not be held for ransom!! South Africa will not be held for ransom.

— Jon Lai (@JonLai_ZA) July 14, 2021

"Someone that has been sitting at home hoping to get a job soon is watching all this and loses hope all over again." ???????????? #SouthAfricaIsBurning

— Shaa'ira (@MissEbrahim187) July 14, 2021

Limpopo you are beautiful keep up the good work ✊????✊????✊????????????#Newzroom405 #looters#mallofafrica pic.twitter.com/QrsYtG7oyd

— CyberBullying Defense Force SA ???????? (@Cyber_2345) July 13, 2021

In Johannesburg, Alexandra, Soweto and Lenasia were some of the most severely affected areas with looting and rioting rampant while the entire city of Durban and Pietermaritzburg are at the epicentre.

Minister of Police Bheki Cele briefed the media on Tuesday after walking through Alexandra and said that they are ramping up efforts to quell the looting.

Following five days of rioting seen throughout KZN and Johannesburg, Tshwane inner city remains calm but as trucks and warehouses go up in flames food and fuel shortage is becoming an imminent threat.

News 24 reports have emerged that the former head of the State Security Agency’s rogue unit Thulani Dlomo, linked to Jacob Zuma, has been implicated and is currently under investigation for fuelling violent unrest in Kwa-Zulu-Natal. State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo told a media briefing on Tuesday they were investigating former SSA agents.

As protests continue, the risk of covid19 infection remains, the country saw a total of 633 deaths, due to virus complications, in the past 24 hours alone.

By Naadiya Adams