Looting of a mini-market in Earlsfield.
Image: Fidelity ADT Specialised Response Unit
Several people have been arrested across South Africa in connection with looting, attempted looting, business burglaries and other criminal offences as police moved swiftly to contain isolated incidents linked to nationwide marches taking place on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Police confirmed that the SAPS had made several arrests since the early hours of Tuesday morning following reports of looting and attempted looting in various parts of the country.
Authorities stressed that while demonstrations remained largely peaceful, law enforcement would take decisive action against anyone exploiting the protests to commit crimes.
Police said officers remained on high alert, with increased deployments across the country to safeguard communities, businesses and critical infrastructure while maintaining public order.
Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia warned that criminal conduct would not be tolerated.
"We urge citizens to exercise their constitutional rights responsibly and to ensure that demonstrations remain peaceful and lawful. Those who choose to exploit the marches to commit criminal acts will face the full might of the law. Police will continue to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those responsible for criminal conduct," said Cachalia.
KZN SAPS spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said police had arrested five suspects after responding to reports of businesses being broken into in Woody Glen, Mpumalanga township near Hammarsdale during the early hours of Tuesday.
Police also arrested five additional suspects accused of breaking into tuckshops owned by foreign nationals and stealing various items. Three were apprehended by private security officers while allegedly caught in the act before being handed over to SAPS.
Two more suspects were arrested at the Madiba informal settlement in Mountain Rise.
In a separate incident, a suspect was arrested in Thubalethu township, Melmoth, for allegedly robbing foreign nationals after threatening them with a stick and stealing their belongings.
Police further arrested a woman for allegedly assaulting police officers and intimidation after officers intervened during an attack on a foreign national at the Burnwood Kwalimaza informal settlement in Sydenham. Another man was also arrested on charges of intimidation.
All suspects are expected to appear in court.
In Gauteng, police Commissioner Major General Tommy Mthombeni confirmed several arrests, including an unidentified leader of Soweto March.
Mthombeni said that a total of eight people were arrested in relation to protests linked to illegal immigration.
Among those apprehended was an unidentified leader of the protest, alongside four others, following a confrontation with a foreign-owned shop associated with looting allegations.
At Moffat View in Rosettenville, four more arrests were made after public disorder arising from a house robbery involving a specific nationality.