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The civil unrest created by the #FreeZuma protests has seen mass destruction across parts of KwaZulu-Natal. However, the looters have recently found themselves contending against well-organised community members, security companies, police officers, the Taxi Association and SANDF members.
Not avoiding attack, Defy’s newly launched multi-million Rand Warehouse and Distribution Centre in Ezakheni, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal was recently targeted. Noting that KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala only officially launched the centre on 19 May 2021—with its celebrated arrival bringing employment opportunities to the area.
While lawbreakers vandalised large parts of the factory and warehouse, as Zikalala pointed out during a media briefing on Wednesday, 14 July 2021, there has been a positive result from the incident.
Reports highlight that the South African Police Service, with the assistance of the SANDF, have begun recovering several appliances stolen during the looting of Defy. Thereby ensuring rioters do not benefit from their misdeeds, holding them accountable for their actions.
Adding to this, the Diepsloot Resident’s Association went as far as to conduct a door-to-door operation to recover several stolen items from a shopping centre during the protests.
According to Akim Zulu, the association’s secretary, they received tip-offs on Tuesday, 15 July 2021, regarding where the stolen goods were in the community. While the association was stationed at the local mall, when the information came through, forces rallied together, visiting the homes where offenders had been seen running to.
In addition, police have also recovered 10 000 rounds of ammunition in Mobeni, Durban, on Wednesday night, 14 July 2021. Furthermore, the SAPS issued a stern warning, stating they are going to continue with police visibility and stop and search operations in KwaZulu-Natal to #ProtectSouthAfrica.
The City of Tshwane’s law enforcement teams are also currently on the ground retrieving stolen goods in Mahube Valley, Mamelodi.
On 13 July 2021, Ntuzuma SAPS from the eThekweni (Durban) District also recovered various stolen items, all of which had been taken during the protests.
These are but a few success stories making their way into the headlines, showcasing progression on the subject.
What are your thoughts? Share your views in the comment section below.
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2 Responses
Great news at last maybe a reward for pimping looters country wide would work
Wherever or whomever the stolen items were recovered from, those people need to be arrested. accountability needs to happen. Why arrest some and not others? every person that chose to participate in the looting made a choice to STEAL!!!!!