JOHANNESBURG, July 13 (Reuters) – South African security officials said on Tuesday the government was working to ensure violent protests do not spread further, warning people will not be allowed “to make a mockery of our democratic state”.

“No amount of unhappiness or personal circumstances from our people gives the right to anyone to loot, vandalise and do as they please and break the law,” Police Minister Bheki Cele told a news conference, alongside other officials. (Reporting by Alexander Winning and Wendell Roelf; Writing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)

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