VIDEO: Protesters are ransacking shops across South Africa amid the country's worst violence in years

• Dozens are dead and hundreds of businesses have been destroyed in South Africa's worst violence in years.
• Widespread protests began after last week's arrest of the country's former president, Jacob Zuma.
• Police and soldiers were deployed to the streets, but unrest could continue until Zuma is released.

At least 70 people have been killed in South Africa as violent protests spread across provinces. It's the worst violence the country has seen in years.

The unrest was sparked by last week's arrest of South Africa's former president, Jacob Zuma.

Zuma had turned himself in to serve a 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court after refusing to appear before an anti-corruption commission. His foundation said that the violence would continue until his release.

Crowds that included Zuma's supporters ransacked shopping malls and set buildings on fire, destroying hundreds of businesses. Police fired rubber bullets at looters and soldiers have been deployed to the streets, but the government has yet to declare a state of emergency.

Over 1,000 people have been arrested in the protests, which have evolved into a more general show of anger over the poverty and inequality that persist in South Africa even after the end of apartheid. These problems have been exacerbated by the social and economic impacts of COVID-19.