Some of South Africa’s largest companies were forced to halt operations as violence erupted in parts of the country, with rioters torching trucks and looting stores.

South Africa will deploy soldiers to quell violence that erupted in the wake of former president Jacob Zuma’s jailing, the military said on Monday, after days of riots and looting left at least six people dead.

The World Bank has warned that here is a risk that most of the potential economically active population could be left behind, with the pandemic permanently impairing the country’s long-term prospects.

The performance of Eskom’s generation fleet has been steadily increasing from the disappointing below-60% plant availability in April, and supply has consistently exceeded demand over the past week.

A powerful winter weather system, approaching South Africa from the west, has prompted Eskom to ask the public to reduce the usage of electricity to prevent possible load shedding.

President Cyril Ramaphosa extended bans on alcohol sales and most public gatherings for two weeks as the government struggles to bring a third wave of coronavirus infections under control.