South Africa: Residents stand guard in neighbourhoods to prevent looting

Armed residents in Phoenix, northwest of South Africa’s coastal city of Durban have placed roadblocks around their neighborhoods. They warm themselves by fires as they stand guard to prevent looting.

At least 20 people have died in Phoenix after a week of violent unrest. Across the country, the death toll has passed 100 since protests against ex-president Jacob Zuma's imprisonment spilled over into mass looting of shops and warehouses.

The violence is arguably one of the worst South Africa has seen since the start of democracy 27 years ago.

The death toll from the unrest rose to 117 on Thursday, as the country called up its army reserves in a bid to quell looting that has stoked fears of shortages and dealt a crippling economic blow.