eMalahleni riots lead to woman’s death and looting at shopping centre
One person was shot in these service delivery protests, and succumbed. Two others sustained some injuries.
Service delivery protests in eMalahleni led to damages of property and loss of life on Monday November 7.
According to reports, a 50-year-old woman was shot and taken to hospital. She died, however.
The riots also led to the blockading of roads, which disrupted matric exams of learners who were supposed to write mathematics.
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A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the police are investigating this incident.
“We are not yet certain who shot the 50-year-old woman, however, an immediate investigation is under way, which will look into the allegations that the victim as well two others who had reportedly sustained some injuries, were shot by a member or members of the police,” said Mohlala.
“On the evening of Monday November 7, the situation escalated. Protesters in the KwaGuqa extension reportedly turned violent with reports of looting and torching of the Pick n Pay shopping centre,” he said.
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Mohlala said a case of public violence has been opened and two people were arrested so far.
He further added that the riots were indicated to be caused by blackouts experienced in the area for the past few weeks.
The police remain in the area to monitor the situation and motorists are urged to drive with caution near the KG Mall, as well as on other roads nearby. However, the N4 was cleared after being blockaded last night, November 7.
The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, has called for calm.
