The Dawn Park police have arrested 18 people for public violence following unrest in the area where various stores at the Dawn Park Shopping Centre were looted and vandalised on July 12 and 13.
Local shops in Villa Liza, Mapleton and Windmill Park have also been targeted.
The violence is allegedly linked to the violent protests that are taking place in some parts of the country, seemingly over the incarceration of Jacob Zuma.
According to the Dawn Park police, the violence started around 02:00 on July 12 and it continued until July 13.
“A police vehicle was also vandalised during the protest. Some of the stolen items have been recovered,” said Dawn Park SAPS spokesperson Capt Dan Mahlangu. Mahlangu said no casualties have been reported and added that they are still looking for other suspects.
The Advertiser visited the Dawn Park area on the morning of July 13. Police officers and EMPD members were on high alert to maintain law and order.
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Part of Barry Marais Road was blockaded with rocks, making it difficult for motorists to drive along the area.
At the Dawn Park Shopping Centre, looters vandalised stores and stole the contents, including clothing, food, jewellery and electrical appliances.
One of the employees at Roots Butchery in Dawn Park, Sipho Khumalo (not his real name), said he was distraught that he no longer has employment because everything was taken from the store.
“I can’t believe people can actually be so ruthless. What happened here is not about their act of support for Zuma because it’s just utter criminality,” said Khumalo.
Another staff member, Precious Zondo (not her real name), said she doesn’t know where her next income will come from because she depended on the money she got at the shop to support herself and her family.
At Autozone, one of the employees said he hid on the roof when community members stormed into the store.
At Shoprite, looters allegedly forcefully opened one of the doors to gain entrance into the store and stole grocery items.
Meanwhile, staff members at Ackermans said the looters stole everything besides cellphones that were hidden in a safe place. Foreign national shops in Villa Liza, Dawn Park and Windmill Park remained closed during the day.
More than 683 looters have so far been arrested in Gauteng.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has since authorised the deployment of the SANDF personnel in supplementing the capacity of the SAPS members.
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