Cape Town looting and public violence
CAPE TOWN. – Police from various station precincts supported by Public Order Police members had their hands full quelling sporadic incidents of public violence and theft as stores as well as delivery trucks were looted on Wednesday. Several arrests have been effected across a number of townships in the Cape Town metropole with one incident on the West Coast.
In Elsies River, a supermarket on Halt Road was ambushed by a group of about 15 suspects who helped themselves to items valued at R3 000. Elsies River police responded promptly arresting four suspects between the ages of 32 and 43 on charges of theft. An attempt to break into a closed butchery in area was thwarted as police dispersed the crowd.
Delft police who were conducting patrols in Delft South responded to an incident at 11:30 where 50 suspects stormed a supermarket and made off with grocery items valued at R4 000. Police dispersed a large crowd that had gathered nearby. Meanwhile tracing operations are still underway to track the perpetrators. Today’s incident in Delft was preceded by three other incidents yesterday in Keerboom Street and on Delft Main Road where shops were looted. Five suspects between the ages of 26 and 31 were arrested for theft.
Meanwhile in Samora Machel, Phillipi East, police prevented a group from looting a delivery truck after barricades were place on the road this morning at about 10:30. Suspects were dispersed by police and they ran into near Heinz Park. A move by the group to head towards the nearby Watergate Mall was also prevented. Public Order Police, Phillipi East, Samora Machel police and the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement officials responded to the incidents. Four suspects were arrested for public violence.
In Vredenburg, on the West Coast, police were pelted with stones by a group of between 300 and 400 residents from the Witteklip Township at 10:00 today. The group had earlier tried to storm a local spaza shop after they complained about not getting food parcels. The group also attempted to attack the house of a local councillor but police reacted timeously and prevented the incidents from occurring. Four suspects were arrested and charged for public violence. Police are keeping an eye on the situation.
Western Cape police wish to warn communities to respect the rule of law and refrain from engaging in unlawful conduct. Failure to act within the parameters of the law with leave the police with no option but to act decisively.
Source: SAPS
