South Africa Riots Reveal Political Failures

JOHANNESBURG - This month’s riots across South Africa have underscored concerns about inequality and stability after nearly three decades of democracy. In Soweto, owners of pillaged shops accuse the government of failing them.

Mahamadali Randera watched helplessly from outside his electronics shop at a strip mall in Soweto as determined looters broke through its heavy metal gate. In a matter of hours, his livelihood of the past seven years disappeared. Neighboring shops were also emptied before the one-story building was torched.