Police call on looters to voluntarily surrender stolen property

Police have called upon looters to voluntarily surrender stolen property or face possible arrest and criminal charges.

According to Major General Mathapelo Peters, the head of corporate communications for the South African Police Service’s national head office, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Nat Joints) co-chaired by the SANDF, SAPS and the SSA, has welcomed the influx of calls and tip-offs.

She said that the tip-offs – received from various communities in both KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng via the MySAPS app – has allowed the integrated security forces to recover volumes of suspected stolen property whose value is yet to be determined.

“By this morning a total of 3 407 suspects had been arrested on various charges since the violence erupted over a week ago, with only one suspect granted bail, 1 122 expected to appear in different courts in the two most affected provinces, and the remaining dockets under investigation.”

She said that security forces have embarked on recovery operations with the collaboration of citizens who have gone out of their way to provide tip-offs to the police. “A warning has also been issued to those who were not part of the looting spree but are buying stolen property from the looters that they too will be arrested for being in possession of stolen property.”

In Gauteng during integrated operations at a number of hostels in areas including Tembisa, Alexandra and Moroka on July 17 and 18, there were 14 suspects arrested for being in possession of suspected looted property. Among the goods recovered were mattresses, TVs, couches, fridges, sound systems and computers. In KwaZulu-Natal, 92 suspects were arrested for being in possession of stolen property.

Peters said that Nat Joints has also reiterated the call for people to refrain from inciting violence by creating and circulating inflammatory messages that seek to do nothing but elevate the levels of tension, confusion and fear amongst communities.

She added that police in the West Rand District in Gauteng arrested two suspects who allegedly created and spread inflammatory messages with the potential of inciting violence. They are expected to appear in court on July 19. A third suspect, a 21-year-old woman, was arrested in Duduza on July 17 on similar allegations. She is expected to appear before the Nigel Magistrates’ Court on July 20.

Peters highlighted that police are also aware of messages circulating on various social media platforms, threatening to attack police stations and disarm law enforcement officers, attack courts of law and key infrastructure such as fuel pipelines and refineries, as well as more looting. She said that Nat Joints has subsequently mobilised maximum resources to address these threats and heighten visibility.

“Measures have also been put in place to ensure stability and the protection and safety of those who are not involved in the unrest and wish to go on with their daily routine.”

Members of the public should continue to report criminality to the police, which may be done anonymously by calling the crime stop number 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS app that can be downloaded onto any smartphone.