AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
SOUTH African Police have reported progress, both in the hunt of the instigators of the violence and looting which left 212 people dead over 3 000 arrested as well as the recovery of goods that were stolen.
The SA government yesterday reported that the sixth alleged instigator has been arrested.
Khumbuzo Ntshavheni, the Acting- Minister in the Presidency in SA, said of those arrested, three have appeared in court and were remanded in prison. One was given bail and the other two are expected to appear in court later this week.
Those who appeared in court were charged, among others, with inciting public violence. Ntshavheni said the identity of the arrested six will be unveiled today.
Bheki Cele, the Minister of Police yesterday visited businesses and shopping complexes in Durban and Maritzburg, which were affected by widespread looting.
According to his office, Cele met with the management of the Liberty Mall in Pietermaritzburg as well as the Pavilion and Gateway Malls in Durban, who provided him with a security plan the retail centres have put together in conjunction with the South African Police Service.
The three retail centres came under attack from looters last week, but members of the SAPS speedily contained the volatile situation and together with private security, continued to guard the shopping complexes to prevent further violence and looting.
The Ministry said while all three malls were currently open only for essential shopping, the retail centres would be fully operational in the next few days.
In Durban, Cele also joined security forces in the city’s business district as they responded to tip-offs from community members on the whereabouts of suspected stolen property, looted during last week’s unrest in the province.
Cele said recovering stolen property will be the order of the day in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng and all suspected looted goods will be placed at various police evidence storage facilities.
“We are thankful for communities who keep on providing information that can assist police and we also commend people that are voluntarily surrendering the stolen goods and must continue to do so, but those who choose to keep these stolen ware in their homes are being warned that the law will not have mercy on you,” he said.
