#ShutdownGauteng live updates: ‘We will defend our kasi’ says Cosmo City
JOBURG NORTH – A blow-by-blow account of the unrest as it unfolds in Joburg's northern suburbs today, July 13.
Despite President Cyril Ramaphosa’s strong condemnation of the violence and looting that swept across much of KwaZulu-Natal and parts of Gauteng on July 12, unrest continues in many parts of Joburg’s northern suburbs.
Here we report the news as it unfolds throughout the day.
Update 16:00: Cosmo City residents will defend their ‘kasi’
‘We will defend our kasi’ these are words, that in a time of looting and unrest within our various communities, resonate most with the members of the ‘Cosmo City Rocks’ Facebook page.
On the afternoon of July 13, a meeting was held for all the community members and its various leaders. Here the message was shared that the community was against looting, rioting and protesting. “It is business as usual, and by so doing so, we are mobilising the community to send that same message to their various areas and in one voice we are saying no to looting.”
You can read the full story here: Cosmo City residents say no to looting
Mall of Africa is evacuated as a precautionary measure
Attaq, Mall of Africa’s development company, said in a statement that the mall would be evacuated at 14:00 on July 13 as a precautionary measure. Their statement read, “Additional security has been brought in to safeguard lives and property. We are in constant communication with the South African Police Service as well as other security clusters for updates.”
Click here for the full update.
Update 13:00: Devastating photos of ransacked businesses, streets covered in debris with nothing but crumbs leftover by looters
The streets around Pan Africa Mall in Alex are littered with the aftermath of the looting that has taken place over the past couple of days.
IN PICTURES: Looting continues at Alex’s Pan Africa Mall
Most of the looting has come to an end but some looters are still collecting the little that is left in some shops.
One looter shouted, “Let us clean up the remaining shops. There is nothing remaining to buy!”
The Alex News intern-journalist, Comfort Makhanya, is on the scene and captured the devastation left by looters today, July 13.
View all the photos here: IN PICS: Streets around Pan Africa Mall show devastation after looting spree
What is left of Alex FM?
Alex FM staff say they don’t know what the future holds for them following the looting of the station. Local community radio station Alex FM is off the air until further notice. Alex FM station manager Takalane Nemangowe has confirmed the theft of broadcast equipment worth more than R5 million following a break-in and subsequent looting in the early hours of this morning, July 13.
Read the full account here: Alex FM calls for community help to bring looters to book
“We urge you as the owners of the station to come forward and assist us and law enforcement agencies in identifying these culprits,” Nemangowe said.
Good news for shoppers in Sandton though.
Trade continues with caution at many shopping centres in Sandton. Some tenants have taken the decision to close their businesses while others are open for trade. Customers are encouraged to phone their desire store ahead of time to check if they are open.
Find a list of some of the centres here. Trading continues at Sandton shopping centres
Update 11:00: Momentum and Discovery vaccination sites temporarily closed
Discovery South Africa and Momentum Metropolitan have made the decision to temporarily close their vaccination sites.
According to a statement by Momentum on July 12, its vaccination sites in Sandton and Doringkloof will be closed from today (July 13) until further notice.
Noting the same on its social media, Discovery added that updates would be shared directly with those scheduled to attend its sites as they become available.
Discovery’s mass vaccination sites are located in Sandton and Midrand.
Read the full story here.
Update 10:00, July 13: Police contingent working to quell looting in Diepsloot
A police contingent is working together with patrollers from the Diepsloot Residents Association and local taxi associations to stop people from looting.
Unrest and looting spread to the township last night, July 12. Read more here
Spokesperson for the Diepsloot Residents Association Joseph Mvelase said they would not allow anarchy in Diepsloot and they would work together with law enforcement to ensure that perpetrators are arrested.
For more photos and constant updates of the situation in Diepsloot, click here
Update 9.40: Alex Mall looting attempt nipped in bud, shops remain closed
The army prevented an attempted looting attack on Alex Mall last night, July 12.
Communications and marketing manager of Alex Mall Ntokozo Bophela said “Following this [attempted] attack by looters overnight, it’s in the best interest and safety of our tenants, shoppers and the community at large to remain closed until further notice,” Bophela said.
READ MORE: Alex Mall looting attempt nipped in bud, shops remain closed
Update 9.30am: Commuters still affected
Rea Vaya Bus services remain suspended, according to a tweet by the transit service. Yesterday, July 12, the services were also suspended due to many roads in Joburg CBD being barricaded during the unrest on July 11.
⚠️UPDATE – Rea Vaya Bus service remain suspended until further notice. We apologise for the incovenience. ^BM pic.twitter.com/1GCskTARgJ
— Rea Vaya Bus Transit (@ReaVayaBus) July 13, 2021
ALSO READ ALL THE LIVE UPDATES FROM YESTERDAY, JULY 12
