The total number of people arrested in KwaZulu-Natal has risen to 549 while the number of fatalities stands at 27 as of Wednesday, July 14. Members of the South African Defence Force and the augmentation of law enforcement officers have been on the ground to police the rampant elements of criminality perpetuated by the looting of businesses and destruction of property.
“The total number of people who have lost their lives since the beginning of these protests in KZN on Friday, 9 July has risen to 72. In KZN 27 cases are being investigated by the police with 14 cases of murder and 13 inquest cases. The greater part of the inquest dockets relate to stampedes that occurred during incidents of looting of shops and malls; while other deaths and injuries were related to ATM explosions and shooting,” states a release from SAPS.
Provincial commissioners have also activated the SAPS social crime prevention strategy and have been engaging with various stakeholders including community-based organisations, traditional leaders and the business community. This is to amplify current operational plans to best tackle the looting and destruction of property currently prevalent.
“In response to reports of armed community members retaliating against protesters, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NaJOINTS) has emphasised and reminded the public that although persons are entitled to protect their property and lives, the right to life is protected in the Constitution; and can only be infringed in extremely limited circumstances, in order to, inter alia, protect the life or bodily integrity of the defender.”
The NatJOINTS has commended the collaboration between the police and community through established platforms such as Community Policing Forums and Community in Blue. The public is urged to continue reporting crime on the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
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