Police arrested 25 suspects over the weekend (July 11 to 12) following sporadic incidents of looting and the barricading roads in Jeppe and Alexandra.
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According to a statement by SAPS National Joint Operational Intelligence Structure spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili, Gauteng police worked closely with JMPD to heighten visibility and remain on high alert over the weekend in response to reports of opportunistic criminality and violent protests in the City of Johannesburg.
In the Jeppe policing precinct, police dispersed a group of about 300 people who barricaded the M2 highway.
“It is alleged that one group then headed to the Jeppestown where they looted a number of businesses,” said Muridili.
Seven suspects were arrested, four of which were found inside one of the shops.
The remaining three suspects were arrested for public violence and for being in possession of suspected stolen property.
Muridili added that police arrested 18 suspects in Alexandra after responding to information of a group of about 800 people targeting businesses. “Sixteen of them [arrested] for public violence [were] also linked to the shooting of a police officer who was rushed to hospital for urgent medical attention – two other police officers sustained minor injuries.”
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The remaining two suspects were arrested for possession of suspected stolen property and malicious damage to property. “This group of about 800 people is reported to have attacked police resulting in the shooting of police officers who have now received medical attention, with only one in hospital in a stable condition,” Muridili.
Police also dispersed a group of people in Bramley, near Alexandra.
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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/284398/guardians-help-secure-arrests-in-buccleuch/
