WATCH: Rampant looting across Durban
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) confirmed that 123 people were arrested as looting continued.
NUMEROUS videos were circulated on social media as looting increased in the Durban area with shops in Berea, Glenwood, Springfield, Sydenham and Durban Central taking a hit.
The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) confirmed that 123 people were arrested as looting continued in KZN.
“The extent of damage to property and the looting of businesses will be determined at a later stage,” said NatJOINTS.
Group editor of Caxton Local Media in Durban, Corrinne Louw was among a group of Sydenham residents involved in a stand off with protesters in a bid to protect their family and their properties.
A supermarket and bottle store were allegedly looted in the area.
Also read: SAPS arrest 27 across province in connection with #KZNShutdown protests
Across town, the Davenport Square in Glenwood was hit by protest action. Commenting on this, Donald Mclellan, National Marketing Manager for the SA Corporate, said: “The centre management of Davenport Square would like to confirm that the centre was closed on July 12 as a result of looting and vandalism which resulted in damage to the mall. At present, we are assessing the extent of the damage caused during the vandalism which took place.”
McLellan urged the community to contact SAPS to share information that could lead to arrests of looters.
“Criminal offences of this nature have been witnessed over the last 24 hours throughout KwaZulu-Natal and will have a severe impact on our economy. We implore anyone with any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators to liaise with SAPS directly. Our on-site team is working tirelessly to restore the centre and we ask for patience during this extremely difficult period. The safety of our customers, staff and tenants remains our priority and we will ensure that we will keep you updated as to when Davenport Square will be trading again,” he said.
Glenwood Village was also targeted by looters, said centre manager, Steve King.
“Right now we are trying sort things out. Police are still on site. Most of the shops were looted. Shops have lost a lot of stock. We were closed today, but looters still came,” he said.
Also read: Arrests climb to 37 as protests plague Durban
The MTN store in Durban CBD was allegedly looted on Sunday, July 11.
Jacqui O’Sullivan, Executive for Corporate Affairs at MTN South Africa said the cell provider had closed most of their stores on Monday.
“Over the weekend, we have closely monitored the growing incidents of rioting and looting in KwaZulu-Natal, that appear to have flared up in several other provinces as well. Our priority will always be the safety of our employees and our customers. The bulk of our stores in KZN are not open today, due to the ongoing risk of violence both related to the stores and public transport systems that have also been targeted,” added O’Sullivan.
Videos of looting allegedly at Makro and Value Centre in Springfield also surfaced on social media. The stores did not send their comment at the time this article was published.
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