IN PICTURES: Police on scene at Mall of Africa as EFF storm H&M stores around Joburg
SANDTON – EFF members are storming H&M stores across Johannesburg.
The Economic Freedom Front (EFF) party members have stormed H&M stores across Johannesburg apparently protesting against a recent advertising campaign by the company.
Video footage of the protests have surfaced on social media depicting the large groups destroying the store’s property at shopping centres in Menlyn and Midrand as well as Sandton.
H&M posted a statement on Twitter on Saturday night to say they were aware of the recent events and out of the concern for safety of their employees and customers, they had decided to temporarily close all stores in the area.
Read the full statement here:
— H&M (@hm) January 13, 2018
While there were videos of the EFF attempting to get into the H&M store at the Mall of Africa on Saturday morning, by 1.30pm, the mall was quiet and there was a police presence outside the store.
Journalist Masego Seemela was on the scene:
Watch the video here:
General manager of the Mall of Africa, Johann Fourie, said in a statement, “Mall of Africa can confirm that an EFF protest action, that was aimed at the H&M store, arrived today, 13 January, at the mall but were averted by the mall security team and the South African Police Services.”
Fourie said the mall’s security team, Fidelity Security Services, along with the police, Metro police and Community Policing Forum members, prevented the march from taking place and prevented damages to the mall’s property. They ensured the customers’ safety, said Fourie.
“We can confirm that no shots were fired and no injuries reported,” said Fourie.
“The safety and security of our customers, staff and tenants is of utmost importance and the affected area has been secured by Fidelity Security Services and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“The H&M store is closed until further notice and the remainder of the mall and restaurants are trading as normal.”
Many took to Twitter to show this at the Mall of Africa:
EFF NOW AT MALL OF AFRICA pic.twitter.com/9A8aKHtD7Q
— Lebogang Ntshoe (@LebogangNtshoe) January 13, 2018
ICYMI: EFF protesters trashed several @hm stores this morning. Sandton City, Mall Of Africa, Mall of the South and Menlyn Mall were hit. pic.twitter.com/mtZk5E2yln
— Liz (@Lizira00) January 13, 2018
Meanwhile, this was the scene outside the H&M store in Sandton earlier on Saturday.
ALSO READ: IN PICTURES: Public violence case opened after EFF storm H&M in Sandton
By 1pm, the EFF had left Sandton City. Sandton police spokesperson Captain Granville Meyer said, “The EFF supporters have caused damage inside the [H&M] store. The extent of the damage is not yet knoen since the store has closed and store personnel have left. No damages were caused outside of the store.”
Meyer said the public order policing and Metro police were escorting the EFF members out of Sandton City.
“A case docket of public violence was opened,” said Meyer.
Sandton Chronicle journalist, Sarah Koning, was on the scene.
Stores near the shop in Sandton closed their doors.
Sandton City’s management took to Twitter to say:
https://twitter.com/SandtonCity/status/952124378325676032
https://twitter.com/SandtonCity/status/952124438169911296
AVOID H&M SANDTON CITY : EFF PROTESTING. STORES BEING TRASHED. pic.twitter.com/dzsQAsKaNr
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) January 13, 2018
H&M Menlyn….Monkey has been unleashed @tumisole @tsholocbdsa pic.twitter.com/x51eKfIzLm
— African Child!!!! (@MmapulaM_) January 13, 2018
Well It’s going down in Sandton City 🔥🔥, H&M just got shut down by the EFF. Now every single shop is closed 🔥
— HRH Dlamini-Armstrong 🇿🇦🇸🇿 (@BenjaminFreedom) January 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/tcee_t/status/952115464192319488
Outrage over a hoodie with words saying “Coolest monkey in the jungle” has gone viral with contempt over the last week.
H&M apologised about the incident on 9 January.
— H&M (@hm) January 9, 2018
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