Just the beginning

What’s in the M&G this week [View this email in your browser]( July 16, 2021 [Mail & Guardian]( [Mail & Guardian]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [YouTube]( Hi there, Raging tensions used as pawns in the first phase of the unrest; instigators talk; and what does Phase Two have in store for the country. Get this week's M&G for all the details as the looting takes a turn. Please note: out of consideration for the safety of those employed at printers, distributors and retailers, we have decided not to sell physical copies in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Given the value and importance of honest, unbiased news and constructive critiques for people living in these regions, we want to ensure that [anyone can pick up a digital edition for free](. It’s hard to imagine how the situation could get much worse than the past week. Many of us were left speechless as we watched scenes of violence, looting and abuse of the law unfold. But Lizeka Tandwa, Emsie Ferreira, Paddy Harper and Khaya Koko write that this might only be the beginning. According to four sources in politics and intelligence, the looting and burning of thousands of shops and hundreds of malls was the first stage of a plan to destablise the country. The sources said the attacks on infrastructure that began last weekend were carefully [planned and coordinated, and more would follow](. The dire scenario has precipitated an unprecedented response. Erika Gibson reports that the South African National Defence Force has started its biggest single mobilisation of soldiers since 1994, with 25 000 soldiers being sent to KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng to quell the violence. From an initial 2 500 soldiers deployed, [the figure escalated to 25 000]( after President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his position as the defence force’s commander-in-chief, expressed dissatisfaction about such a small number while looting and criminality continued to spiral out of control. Some residents have not been willing to wait for the promise of support. Many have taken up arms — from hockey sticks to pistols — and set up impromptu checkpoints to screen vehicles going into the areas where they live. Paddy Harper was on the ground in KwaZulu-Natal to tell the story of [those who held the line against looting](. Although the violence took place in two provinces, the ramifications will be far-reaching. Sarah Smit writes that the past week’s indiscriminate vandalism will probably set back our efforts to control the spread of Covid-19. The pillaging will [deal a blow to business confidence]( and signal further uncertainty for investors, analysts warned. The government will have to double down on its social and structural reforms to try to get back on the path to recovery. Last week’s images will likewise live with us for quite some time. Paul Botes has compiled some of the most striking photos of [destruction, despair … and intrigue](. For a change of pace, check out our [Q&A with Jeremiah Lemohang Mosese](. He grew up in a village in Lesotho, taught himself to use a camera and has gone on to win prestigious awards at international festivals. He talks to Tshegofatso Mathe about his “mad” self-belief, spirituality and wanting to walk more. If there’s a motif to be taken from this week’s edition of the M&G, it’s that one event can be covered from a variety of angles. From the human interest perspective to macroeconomic implications, we endeavour to give you, the reader, an accurate and holistic picture of the news. We can only do this, of course, because we have a fantastic team of journalists with varying specialties. Should you value this service, please consider taking out a subscription. You can start by registering for a [free digital copy of this week’s edition](. Until Tuesday, Kiri Rupiah & Luke Feltham [Subscribe now]( Enjoy The Ampersand? Share it with your friends [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( [Share]( [Share]( Copyright © 2021 Mail & Guardian Media LTD, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in to receive communications from the Mail & Guardian either at our website or by taking out a print subscription. Our mailing address is: Mail & Guardian Media LTD 25 Owl St BraamfonteinJohannesburg, Gauteng 2001 South Africa [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences or unsubscribe here.]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa