[VIDEOS] ‘Business as usual in Polokwane’
Business returned to normal in most parts of the city today despite ongoing looting in other parts of the country.
POLOKWANE – Calm has been restored in the city with most businesses operating as usual on Tuesday, July 13, following yesterday’s disruptions.
Most businesses and shopping centres in the central business district closed their doors as a precautionary measure in light of nationwide protest action.
The same evening, the Central Business District Business Association (CBDBA) issued a statement, warning of information received that protestors may target malls overnight. Security was beefed up and patrols conducted, and no reports of riots or looting were received.
CBDBA’s chairperson Hamid Salman has since encouraged business owners to open their doors and allow their employees to return to work. He posted the following videos this afternoon to assure the public that calm has been restored in the city.
Meanwhile, the situation in the rest of the province remains calm.
During an Executive Committee meeting on the state of readiness in preparations of possible public unrest in Limpopo, Premier Stanley Mathabatha called on the public to remain calm and to be rest assured that the men and women in blue are ready to deal with any eventuality that may arise.
“We will deal with any dissidents who may wish to spoil our provincial resolution that we will not be part of any destruction of property and public violence.”
He also thanked the residents of Limpopo for condemning the public violence taking place mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng and choosing instead to defend their province and livelihoods.
“Limpopo is the province of peace and so far there is no report about a pro-Zuma campaign. We call upon our people never to live in fear because their government that cares, will safeguard their lives and property.”
