For the past week, protests across South Africa have left at least 70 dead and hundreds more arrested.

Per CNN, unrest came as a result of the jailing of former South African President Jacob Zuma, who was given a sentence of 15 months in jail for contempt of court after failing to appear in a corruption case concerning his presidency. The 79-year-old Zuma, who was President of South Africa from 2009 to 2018, had long been a revered figure in South Africa, having spent 10 years in prison alongside Nelson Mandela during the apartheid era.

However, Zuma’s political career has been dogged by legal troubles and accusations of corruption, but he continues to have many supporters who believe he has been unfairly targeted by political enemies.

As he now sits in jail for charges relating to one of these corruption cases, the country has become engulfed by levels of unrest not seen since the end of apartheid.

Here are five things to know:

1. The protests have grown deadlier and more destructive over the past week

Prior to Zuma's arrest, many of his supporters surrounded his home to form a "human shield" to prevent him from being taken into custody. After Zuma surrendered to custody on July 7, protests began in his home region, KwaZulu-Natal, then spread to other areas, such as the city of Johannesburg. Now, protests have erupted in two additional provinces, Mpumalanga, just east of Gauteng, and Northern Cape, meaning that at least four of the country's nine provinces are dealing with unrest. 

At least 70 people have been killed in the violence, which has seen fights between protestors and police, as well as looting and at least one stampede that led to multiple people being trampled to death. In one frightening incident on Wednesday, a mother was forced to throw her baby from a window after looters set fire to the building. Passerby were able to catch the child and later rescue the woman as well.

Hundreds of businesses have been ransacked or forced to close in fear of being looted, and over 1,200 people have been arrested so far. Current President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, calling for calm has accused many of the people in the streets of being “opportunistic” criminals using the political unrest as an excuse for committing crimes.

2. Zuma’s jailing relates to a case of corruption while in office

Former President Zuma has currently been jailed for refusing to give testimony in front of a commission investigating widespread corruption during his presidency, an investigation that was squashed while Zuma was in office but has since been revived.  

Zuma’s history of being accused of corruption goes back to his time as deputy president, from 1999-2005, a job from which he was fired by then President Thabo Mbeki as Zuma was charged with accepting bribes. This was one of several corruption allegations that have been made against Zuma over the years. Zuma was also charged with raping a family friend but was acquitted in 2006.

Many of the corruption allegations against President Zuma, as well as other members of his family, stem from their close ties to the powerful Gupta business family in South Africa. President Zuma was believed to have given improper access and influence over government policies to the Gupta family in exchange for favors granted to Zuma and his children. For example, Zuma’s son Duduzane, has also been suspected of corrupt practices relating to his business dealings with the Gupta family while his father was in office.

He was also tried but ultimately acquitted for the deaths of two people killed in a car accident in which he was a driver.

3. Zuma’s supporters are protesting what they see as political persecution

While Zuma’s opponents think he is long overdue for accountability and dismiss the protests as the work of looters, many of the former president's supporters see the current charges and jailing as politically motivated. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, one of the Zuma's daughters and a fierce defender of her father, has took to Twitter to reject the labeling of the protestors as criminals.

Zuma-Sambudla has been criticized for posting messages on Twitter that some view as inflammatory. These Tweets include harsh condemnations of the current government, as well as videos of burning vehicles and destruction, often captioned with the term Amandla or "power," which is often used as a protest cry in South Africa.

4. The controversy over Zuma’s jailing reflects divides in the ruling party

Ramaphosa is also a member of the African National Congress, the party which has maintained control of the country since the end of apartheid. Because of the party’s dominance, however, political divides often arise within the ANC, and Ramaphosa and Zuma emerged as rivals.

After the ANC underperformed in elections, Ramaphosa was elected head of the ANC, defeating Zuma’s preferred candidate and ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Faced with this opposition in his own party, Zuma eventually gave in to calls to resign, stepping down in February 2018, after which Ramaphosa was elected president in his stead. Zuma and Ramaphosa essentially lead opposing movements within the ANC, with each side disagreeing over policies to tackle poverty in the country and holding personal grudges against the other faction.

5. The current unrest reflects larger economic and social issues in South Africa

The country has endured lingering poverty and extreme wealth inequality, despite decades of ANC promises to improve the nation’s economy and bring opportunities to the overwhelming Black majority. Beyond the personal animosity between Zuma and Ramaphosa and their respective allies, the two blocs within the ANC also have policy disagreements.

Generally speaking, Ramaphosa’s branch of the ANC favors more business-friendly policies and is more popular among economic elites, while Zuma’s wing is more populist and enjoys support in the country’s townships and rural areas. Because Zuma is seen by many as a champion of common people, the many allegations made against him have been opposed by many people who feel that the rest of the political class has not stood up for them.

Many of those involved in the protest recognize the connections between the political and economic dimensions of the conflict. As one demonstrator, Msizi Khoza, explained to al-Jazeera, “people started breaking into shops and stealing because we want former President Jacob Zuma released.” But the protestor added that, “even if the president does do that, [looting] will carry on because we are hungry too and need things to survive.”

6. COVID-19 has exacerbated the crisis

The economic problems in South Africa were exacerbated by COVID-19, which has overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system. South Africa has been the hardest-hit country in Africa with over 2 million cases, a problem exacerbated by a lagging vaccination campaign. As reported by a local newspaper, “South Africa accounts for 43% of confirmed Covid-19 deaths but only 3% of vaccinations in Africa." The country is currently enduring a “third wave” of COVID infections, brought on by the Delta variant of the virus. COVID-related restrictions have also further depressed the economy, negatively impacting the livelihoods of many South Africans.

A week into the crisis in South Africa, President Ramaphosa is now mobilizing thousands of troops to back up police forces. As the protests disrupt the nation’s economy, authorities worry that the unrest will lead to food and fuel shortages. Meanwhile, Zuma is currently appealing his jailing in court. While the outcome of these latest moves remains uncertain, the underlying causes of the crisis remain. Poverty, inequality and pandemic have all combined to create a situation in which many South Africans are extremely unhappy with how their government has administered the country, and the dispute over the Zuma allegations has been a spark to ignite the powder keg of discontent.

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