Chaos as the ‘Free Zuma’ protests reach Vaal

VANDERBIJLPARK.- Sedibeng (Vaal) came to a standstill on Monday when all the malls and businesses were forced to close in the towns Vanderbijlpark and Vereeniging due to the ‘Free Jacob Zuma’ protests that have engulfed the country. There was panic among the shop owners and hawkers when they closed their business following threats of looting that is escalating throughout the country which started in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. Sedibeng Ster’s crew drove around on Monday afternoon after receiving messages of threats of attacks on businesses in the towns, however the owners took precautionary measures before the attacks. Mall and Shopping Centre’s employees were sent home and there was panic all over, especially at Vaal Mall and in the Vanderbijlpark CBD areas. The Vaal Mall Management issued the following statement: “In light of the current protest action in and around Gauteng, we would like to assure you that we are monitoring the situation closely. As a precautionary measure we have taken the decision to close entrances in order to manage access better in case of an emergency. Whilst we continue to assess the situation, we would like to remind you that the safety of our tenants, customers and staff remains our priority. We will continue to trade the adjusted trading hours under alert Level 4 of the lockdown until further notice.” Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, some of the shops’ owners and hawkers who didn’t want their names to be mentioned for fear of reprisals said that they are worried that their business would be destroyed, and people were going to loot their business. “We are scared and not sure when this would stop because we have seen in other areas that businesses were looted, and people’s business were burned to ashes. We decided to close our business because were informed that our businesses could be under attack. “We don’t even know when this would stop because opening means risking our businesses and employees’ life.” Meanwhile as night fell, attacks began in the townships. The looters included minors and elderly members of the community. In Sebokeng, the Thabong Shopping Centre, Cambridge, Mandela Square and Evaton Mall, U-Save Evaton were some of the stores that were looted. In Sharpeville reports came in that the Boxer Store and Build It in Tshepiso, Spar and U-Save in Sharpeville were some of the stores that were said to have been looted. The government has announced that the members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will be deployed to troublesome areas. Sedibeng Ster is monitoring the situation