Violent protests in South Africa this month have claimed 337 lives, the government said Thursday, marking a further jump in the death toll from the 276 announced the previous day.

Iran PressAfrica: After 14 days of violent protests against the arrest of former South African President Jacob Zuma, the death toll rose to 337 in South Africa, announced the acting Minister of the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, on Thursday (22). Until this Wednesday (21), the official number was 276.

The acts, which began on July 9, quickly led to a wave of vandalism. Protesters armed with bats, golf clubs and pieces of wood ransacked shops and burned buildings. On July 12, the country’s army announced that it would send troops into the streets of two of its main provinces, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. 219

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South Africa: violent protest's death toll rises to 212