#GautengShutdown: 219 arrests after violent protests
JOBURG – Further arrests have been made in connection with the violent protests and riots in Gauteng.
Unrest, looting and riots swept across Joburg’s northern suburbs yesterday, July 12. Below is an account of how it unfolded from morning to night.
Update: 21:00, July 12
Ramaphosa vows to end the chaos
In an address to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa strongly condemned the violence and looting that swept across much of KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng today (July 12).
The South African National Defence Force was deployed in the two provinces today, in an attempt to gain control of the situation. “Each of us, no matter our position or our circumstances, has an interest in maintaining and upholding the rule of law. It is, therefore, a matter of vital importance that we restore calm and stability to all parts of the country without delay,” said Ramaphosa.
“The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure – known as NatJoints – has intensified deployments in all the affected areas in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The South African Police Service is putting measures in place to call up operational members from leave and rest days to increase the presence of law enforcement personnel on the ground.
Read the full story here: Ramaphosa vows to end the chaos
Update: 20:25
Reports of looting taking place in Diepsloot near the N14
At around 20:00 this evening, July 12, reports began circulating that there is protest action and looting taking place in the Diepsloot area.
Spokesperson for the Diepsloot Residents Association Joseph Mthembu confirmed to the Fourways Review that there have been incidents of looting at a Diepsloot mall.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the N14.
More details will be provided as they become available.
Update: 18:00
The NatJOINTS has intensified deployments in all the areas in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal affected by the violent protests as the damage to property and looting of stores continued overnight.
Gauteng police are investigating the circumstances into the deaths of four people since the break out of violent protests in Gauteng. The police responded to a call from Alexandra Clinic where they found a body with gunshot wounds on July 11.
Later that day, the body of a security guard with assault wounds was found at Jeppestown. The third body was discovered also on July 11, in the evening in Dobsonville while the fourth body was discovered with gunshot wounds in Germiston. The course of death for the security guard and as well as the body found in Dobsonville is part of investigations.
NatJOINTS confirmed that 219 people have been arrested in connection with the violent protests across the nation, of that 96 suspects are from Gauteng.
The extent of damage to property and the looting of businesses will be determined at a later stage.
Update: 16:00
No looting at Fourways Mall
Fourways Mall has confirmed that there is no looting taking place at the mall today (July 12) despite some social media reports.
Verushka Moodley, spokesperson for the Fourways Mall, said the mall is aware of multiple messages circulating regarding looting and rioting activity at the mall. “The mall has put in place added security measures and can confirm that no such activity is taking place at the mall.
“Should there be anything to report on, we will certainly communicate this.”
Several Randburg shopping centres close amid concerns of protest action and looting
A number of local shopping centres, businesses and public places have closed today, July 12, amid fears of violent protest action and looting.
It has been confirmed that Randridge Mall and Cosmo Mall were all closed by the early afternoon. Randburg Sun has also been informed by a local ward councillor that Randburg Square and Boskruin Village Shopping Centre are also closed.
Ella Miles, general manager of Broll, said, “In consideration of our tenants and their staff’s safety we have decided to close Randridge Mall and Boskruin Village from 1pm today.
“This is a precaution in line with the protest action and ensuing looting taking place at shopping centres nationwide. We anticipate resuming normal trade tomorrow and look forward to welcoming back shoppers to the respective centres once again. The safety of our customers, tenants and staff are of paramount importance.”
Cresta Shopping Centre told its patrons on Facebook that it would close at 5pm.
Randburg Sun spoke to several other malls in the area, that had all opted to keep their doors open at this time.
“There were no incidents but we wanted to rather be safe than sorry and so we closed down for the day. It is just for today, we expect to open again tomorrow,” Cosmo Mall’s marketing manager, Katlego Lauren told Randburg Sun.
The centre in Cosmo City received a tip-off around 9am that pro-Zuma protesters could be headed their way during the day. They closed their doors within minutes.
On its Facebook page, Randridge Mall posted the following, “In the Interest of keeping our tenants and shoppers safe, the management of Randridge Mall has decided to close the Centre for trading today.”
Update: 15:30
Multiple shopping centres have closed for safety reasons across Joburg northern suburbs.
A decision was taken by most centre managements to close after hearing threats of protest action and looting.
Sandton City responded to a viral video, “[It] is not connected to the ongoing violent protests in and around Johannesburg.”
Additional security measures have, however, been put in place across the centre to ensure the safety and security of shoppers and tenants.
“Together with the South African Police Service, Sandton City will continue to monitor the situation, and is currently operating as per normal, as a Covid-19 compliant, Safe-certified shopping centre,” concluded the centre in a social media post.
In particular, social media was in a frenzy when reports of pandemonium broke out at Benmore Shopping Centre.
The Sandton Chronicle team visited the centre reporting that almost all stores except one, had been locked down. Centre management explained to the Chronicle that the majority of the stores closed as a precaution but there are no protests, looting or damage currently taking place at the shopping centre.
Read the full story here: Sandton City and Benmore shopping centres take precaution
Watch the video here:
Update: 14:25
Alex Mall shuts down as army arrives
Alex Mall has just shut down its doors and no shoppers are allowed in anymore following threats that looters were heading to the centre.
Mall communication and marketing manager Ntokozo Bephela said the mall had so far been spared from the mayhem that has been witnessed in other places, particularly Pan Africa Shopping Centre which has been under siege since Saturday night, July 10.
Bophela confirmed the arrival of the army on-site to safeguard the mall from unrelenting looters.
She said before the closure, the mall had taken precautionary measures and had not been allowing the public to drive into the mall, only foot shoppers.
“When news of the mall being targeted next reached us, we decided to close our doors and we were lucky because as [we] closed, the army arrived,” Bophela said.
She said the mall would remain closed and the situation would be assessed on a daily basis to see whether it was safe to open the doors for shoppers again.
Update: 13:43
Looters ransack Pan Africa stores in Alexandra
Unrest continues in Alexandra today, July 12, with protesters continuing to loot shops at Pan Africa Shopping Centre.
Alex residents are warned to avoid the area. This comes after various looting incidents and road barricades by residents across parts of Johannesburg on July 11. It is believed that many of these incidents are linked to protests against the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma.
Local residents, including those who were heading to or from work, were seen taking advantage of the situation and joining the looting both yesterday and today.
Police made numerous attempts to stop looters yesterday and this morning. However, the looting continued until this morning. There was not a single store left untouched at Pan Africa Shopping Centre.
It is alleged a man was killed in the process of looting and the police are investigating. The Alex News has approached police for comment and an update will be made once it becomes available.
It is said that some taxi drivers were allegedly helping the looters to carry stolen meat from a butchery. Residents witnessed looted items being piled into taxis. Added to the looting was alcohol from a bottle store and chicken from a fast food outlet.
There have also been reports that local primary schools and spaza shops were also looted last night and that many were set alight.
Photo: Supplied
One resident claimed they will head to Alex Mall, the biggest mall in Alex, next. Last night, July 11, there were burning tyres in front of Alex Mall, and residents had threatened to vandalise the mall if former president Jacob Zuma was not released.
Alex News intern-journalist Comfort Makhanya is in the township and he took these videos of the unrest this afternoon:
This is a developing story and updates will be made as and when they become available.
Update: 13:05
Temporary suspension of Eskom services in Gauteng due to protest
Eskom has temporarily suspended its services in Gauteng due to the ongoing violence and protests.
The power utility said its operations and services which required the presence of employees to fix faults at locations would be suspended as their main priority was to keep their employees and contractors safe during the unrest.
“No operating conditions or urgency of service justifies exposing anyone to negative risks arising out of Eskom’s businesses or cause them injury or damage to the environment,” said Eskom in a statement.
However, critical infrastructure such as hospitals would be attended to.
Eskom urged its employees and contractors to remain safe in their homes during the protests.
Update: 13:00
25 suspects arrested amid unrest in Alexandra and surrounding areas
Police arrested 25 suspects over the weekend (July 11 to 12) following sporadic incidents of looting and the barricading roads in Jeppe and Alexandra.
According to a statement by SAPS National Joint Operational Intelligence Structure spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili, Gauteng police worked closely with JMPD to heighten visibility and remain on high alert over the weekend in response to reports of opportunistic criminality and violent protests in the City of Johannesburg.
In the Jeppe policing precinct, police dispersed a group of about 300 people who barricaded the M2 highway.
“It is alleged that one group then headed to the Jeppestown where they looted a number of businesses,” said Muridili.
Seven suspects were arrested, four of which were found inside one of the shops.
The remaining three suspects were arrested for public violence and for being in possession of suspected stolen property.
Muridili added that police arrested 18 suspects in Alexandra after responding to information of a group of about 800 people targeting businesses. “Sixteen of them [arrested] for public violence [were] also linked to the shooting of a police officer who was rushed to hospital for urgent medical attention – two other police officers sustained minor injuries.”
The remaining two suspects were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property and malicious damage to property. “This group of about 800 people is reported to have attacked police resulting in the shooting of police officers who have now received medical attention, with only one in hospital in a stable condition,” Muridili.
Police also dispersed a group of people in Bramley, near Alexandra.
Update: 12:25
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to be deployed
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) said in a statement that they have commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures in line with a request for assistance received from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), to assist law enforcement agencies deployed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces respectively, to quell the unrest that has gripped both provinces in the last few days.
SANDF said the deployment will commence as soon as all deployment processes are in place.
Transport services suspended
Due to the unrest in most parts of Johannesburg over the weekend and today, July 12, some of the transport services in the City are suspended.
The unrest follows former president Jacob Zuma’s incarceration. Protest action and looting hit Alexandra on July 11 and affected the periphery of Wynberg and Kew, among other areas in the City.
Also Read: Police officer shot while responding to shop looting in Wynberg
The City of Johannesburg has suspended the Rea Vaya bus services until further notice. “Passengers are advised to make alternative transport arrangements. The City will use communication platforms to provide constant feedback on the situation during the course of the day,” said the City in a statement published on July 12.
Metrorail and Metrobus services are also suspended.
#JHBTraffic Commuter Alert !!!
Due to marches in and around Johannesburg, @JoburgMetrobus is suspending the service with immediate effect. Operations will resume as soon as it's safe to do so.
The company apologises for the inconvenience caused #saferjoburg #JoburgRoadSafety ^NB pic.twitter.com/UCQAGXcucd— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) July 12, 2021
Metrorail train service suspended for Monday, 12 July 2021 pic.twitter.com/WltrmfcUys
— Metrorail Gauteng (@MetrorailGP) July 11, 2021
ALSO READ: Gauteng Premier strongly condemns lawlessness in parts of Joburg
Unrest continues in Alex
Twitter is abuzz with videos and tweets of the unrest in Alex this morning, July 12, with many videos showing it has spread to Pan Africa Mall.
https://twitter.com/K9_Reaper/status/1414476533843038211?s=20
Looting: Alex JHB. pic.twitter.com/yooZ1XXywU
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 12, 2021
Creative entrepreneur, @lumka_co, tweeted that people were looting and some traders couldn’t open shop:
https://twitter.com/lumka_co/status/1414456560923860992?s=20
Paula Kernan took to Twitter to share a photo of the damage to a storage unit in Alex. Kernan tweets, “This is what’s been done to the storage place we keep our vehicle at near Alex. We can’t start our rose pruning season. That’s the end of my business. A step too far.”
This is what’s been done to the storage place we keep our vehicle at near Alex. We can’t start our rose pruning season. That’s the end of my business. A step too far. pic.twitter.com/AWH6HQFFWv
— Paula Kernan (@PaulaKernan) July 12, 2021
This is a developing story and more updates to follow throughout the day.
Share your thoughts on this story on our Facebook page.
