Learners coming back from a ‘fees must fall’ march to Luthuli House on 8 April allegedly starting looting shops on the corner of Twist and Smit streets.
Gauteng Provincial spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo confirmed the incident. “There were shops that were looted involving kids of Johannesburg, we have opened a case of public violence, no one has been arrested.”
Masondo said they do not know why the learners started looting the shops and added that an owner of a SPAR on Smit Street was slightly injured.
Tracy Fouche, the personal assistant to the CEO of Fontana Holdings SPAR, Dario Afeltra, confirmed that one of their store owners on Twist Street was injured. “She was hit over the head, thankfully she is fine. We have closed for the day to secure the shop,” said Fouche.
Fouche claimed the looters trashed the whole store and several items were stolen. They did not know how much was taken and they will conduct a stock take to establish their losses.
Watch:
In another video that surfaced online, it apparently shows shop owners fighting back. Masondo said it was in relation to the same incident.
HILLBROW STORE OWNERS STRIKE BACK : REPELLING YOUTH WITH SOME SERIOUSNESS pic.twitter.com/cFsf5EUxDY
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) April 8, 2019
The spokesperson for the Hillbrow police Sergeant Mduduzi Zondo also confirmed the incident but said they were not aware of any injuries and were not sure if those who allegedly fought back were shop owners.
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