On 9 July 2021, the same day KwaZulu-Natal's high court upheld his conviction and prison sentence, the unrest began.[11][32] Widespread reports of public violence, burglary, malicious damage to property was reported in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, with at least 28 people being arrested and a highway being blocked.[32] The riots continued on the evening of Sunday, 11 July 2021, when multiple news sources indicated reports of gunshots and explosions heard at local malls and residential areas.[33] The violence quickly escalated, and by the morning of Monday, 12 July 2021, multiple companies and malls were forced to close following widespread looting and violence[34] As of 13 July, 72 people have died due to the unrest, and 1,234 have been arrested.[10]