Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his South African counterpart on the security in Durban, South Africa.

The UK is concerned by the outbreak of violence and looting in the South African provinces of KwaZulu-Natal (home to Durban) and Gauteng in recent days, which has sadly resulted in loss of life, injuries, and substantial damage to buildings and businesses. We welcome the South African Government's determination to restore calm and strongly supports President Ramaphosa's emphasis on the importance of the rule of law. Our High Commission remain in regular contact with the South African authorities. As a long-standing friend of South Africa, the UK will continue to partner closely with the South African Government, business and civil society on a shared agenda of security, health, economic and social issues.