THERE has been no looting in Durban according to the spokesperson for Durban Central SAPS, Captain Muzi Maphumulo.
Maphumulo was addressing videos circulating on social media that raised alarm bells last night, with many speculating that looting had begun after threats of a national shutdown.
Maphumulo said the videos depict student protest action which broke out at about 02:00 in the Durban CBD.
“There were groups of students on Anton Lembede Street, Dr Pixly Kaseme Street and Dorothy Nyeme Street who tried to protest on the roads. SAPS members swiftly responded, restored the peace and returned the students to their residences. No looting took place here in Durban,” said Maphumulo.
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According to Maphumulo, students in the area are known to stay up late drinking liquor.
He added that there is a heavy police presence in the city today.
“All our roads are clear, and traffic is flowing. Our malls are also clear from any groupings. There is also heavy police visibility with them monitoring and patrolling around. SAPS is complemented by Metro police,” he said.
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Paul Green, who runs a community group, Durban Traffic, shared a video clip on Facebook.
Commenting on the clip, Green said, “It started in the early hours of the morning. A lot of reports came through, and people said there was chaos and commotion and people screaming and shouting.”
Watch the clip here:
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