Unrest, violence and the looting of shops in Ekurhuleni saw 189 suspects arrested in a span of two days.
Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Lt Col Lungelo Dlamini said suspects arrested in Ekurhuleni were apprehended for possession of stolen goods and unlicensed firearms, murder, attempted murder and public violence.
The unrest in the region came after it started in Johannesburg on September 1 when shops were looted in Malvern, Denver, Jeppestown and the inner city.
September 2 saw a strong police presence as officers monitored the situation in affected areas.
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In Malvern, several shops were burnt, looted or damaged and burnt-out vehicles lay idle on Jules Street where debris littered pavements.
Gauteng Police Commissioner Lt Gen Elias Mawela said shops were targeted, irrespective of shop owners’ nationality.
Communications officers from Bedfordview and Edenvale police stations said there was no looting or unrest in either of the stations’ precincts.
Locally there was an incident of parents panicking after the circulation of false information about the kidnapping of children.
Also read: Joburg shop owners remove goods from business premises to prevent further looting (Multimedia)
“The information was geared to incite violence and instil fear among the Gauteng communities,” said Dlamini.
He said the abuse of social media and spreading of false information sought to undermine the authority of the state.
“We are happy that law-abiding members of the community are becoming frustrated about these criminals who are targeting businesses,” said Mawela.
“They have joined the police to restore law and order.”
