Looters in the mist

Looters had a field day after a truck transporting washing powder lost control and overturned in Magoebaskloof on Monday.

Two pedestrians were killed and their bodies horribly mutilated.

Washing powder lay scattered over the scene, a tempting sight for looters who quickly started helping themselves to the spilled cargo.

Emergency personnel tried to concentrate on the patients as people jumped over them and the bodies of the deceased to get to the washing powder.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said they are aware that police on scene struggled to control the looters.

A witness on scene, Bester du Buisson, says he saw emergency personnel partaking in the looting. According to him, they loaded washing powder into emergency vehicles. Further allegations of police also taking the washing powder were made.

According to Ngoepe, they were not aware of allegations that police were involved in the looting but will investigate the matter.

Macks Lesufi, spokesperson for the Department of Health, could not be reached for comment at time of going to press.