#GautengShutdown update: Police work to quell looting in Diepsloot
DIEPSLOOT− Police are in the area and working with patrollers to quell looting.
Update: 10:30, July 13
Ward councillor pleads with residents to abide by the law
Ward 113 councillor Abraham Mabuke said that looting in the area would not be tolerated. He said that it would take months for stores in the area to recover, potentially leading to a rise in unemployment.
“This is a setback, this is an act of criminality and thuggery and we cannot promote these acts…We are calling on our residents not to do this and abide by the laws of our country.
“If people want to protest, every person has the right to do that in a legal manner, not by destroying infrastructure. Tomorrow it will be us that needs this infrastructure.”
The Fourways Review journalist Nduduzo Nxumalo said that community patrollers are gathering people who are allegedly in possession of suspected stolen items and taking them to the police station.
Update: 09:00, July 13
Police contingent working to quell looting in Diepsloot
The Fourways Review journalist Nduduzo Nxumalo is in Diepsloot today (July 13) to survey the damage of looting in the area.
Nxumalo said that a police contingent is working together with patrollers from the Diepsloot Residents Association and local taxi associations to stop people from looting.
Spokesperson for the residents association Joseph Mvelase said they will not allow anarchy in Diepsloot and they will work together with law enforcement to ensure that perpetrators are arrested.
The Fourways Review has approached the Diepsloot Police Station for comment.
Update: 21:00, July 12
Reports of looting at a mall in Diepsloot
At around 20:00 this evening, July 12, reports began circulating that there is protest action and looting taking place in the Diepsloot area.
Spokesperson for the Diepsloot Residents Association Joseph Mthembu confirmed to the Fourways Review that there have been incidents of looting at a Diepsloot mall.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the N14.
More details will be provided as they become available.
Helicopter just arrived at Diepsloot…bafamba moyeni.
— iGokrha (@KubiNkali) July 12, 2021
@HonourableHloni diepsloot mall being looted as we speak! Gun shots
— Bongz (@Bongz_30412) July 12, 2021
Bambanani Mall Diepsloot. #Unrest pic.twitter.com/l8QJZJPbaU
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 12, 2021
Its gun shoots all over Diepsloot now
— Inno_Mahlathi🇿🇦 (@Im_inno) July 12, 2021
Update: 16:00, July 12
No looting at Fourways Mall
Fourways Mall has confirmed that there is no looting taking place at the mall today (July 12) despite some social media reports.
Verushka Moodley, spokesperson for the Fourways Mall, said the mall is aware of multiple messages circulating regarding looting and rioting activity at the mall. “The mall has put in place added security measures and can confirm that no such activity is taking place at the mall.
“Should there be anything to report on, we will certainly communicate this.”
Have you witnessed any protest action or looting in the Fourways area? Please share your experiences with the editor Laura at laurap@caxton.co.za
