CrimeNews

Four arrested after looting in Midrand

OLIEVENHOUTBOSCH – The police have arrested four suspects after a number of shops were burnt down by the local community.


The police have arrested four suspects following the looting and burning of shops in Olievenhoutbosch on 19 January.

Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said, “An unconfirmed number of shops were damaged and some set alight.

“This comes after members of the public order police attended to the initial incident in Olievenhoutbosch, where a group of people went on the rampage and raided a number of shops alleged to be selling muti.”

Peters added, “At this point, the group is said to have gone into the shops, removed muti-products and set the products alight just outside these shops.”

“The police were able to disperse the group before a bigger crowd started later in the evening. The crowd burnt and attacked a number of stores known to be selling muti.

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“The group allegedly became violent and attacked the police and the officers responded by firing stun grenades and rubber bullets. The officers then found another group allegedly looting a shop and arrested the four suspects.”

She said that preliminary reports have suggested that the incident stemmed from an arrest of a man suspected to be behind the murder of a woman who went missing in November last year – her body was found on 16 January in Mnandi.

Details: Provincial police head office 011 274 7300.

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