South Africa’s government is to increase its deployment of defence forces to 25,000, 10 times more than originally proposed, to curb widespread looting and violence in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

The authorities also urged communities defending their businesses from looters to work within the law, warning against vigilantism.

Tens of thousands of businesses have been ransacked following the jailing last week of former President Jacob Zuma for contempt of court.

Some roads remain closed, buildings on fire and streets and shopping centres littered with debris.

Overnight 208 incidences of shopping mall looting and vandalism were reported.

However, officials say the cases of violence have decreased following the initial deployment of 2,500 soldiers on Monday.