Update: Civil unrest peaks in Western Cape amid looting and protest

It has been a day of major civil unrest in Cape Town, as frustrations on day 27 of the nationwide lockdown boil over in some of the province’s most desperately affected areas. 

Clusters of rioting residents have kept law enforcement engaged all day, with looting rife in the Cape Flats areas. 

The South African Police Service (SAPS), as well as various other law enforcement agencies, have engaged with isolated incidents in several areas. 

Mitchells Plain chaos continues 

In Mitchells Plain, a truck was pelted with stones and a group attempted to loot the vehicle on the R300. Police engaged with the group who threw stones at them, prompting police to return fire with rubber bullets. 

Mayoral Committee Member for safety and security, Alderman JP Smith, said the stretch of road had become a crime hotspot. 

“I’m afraid, this is a hotspot now,” he said. “We have a mechanism now where food transport vehicles are being tracked so we can dispatch escort services and keep these vehicles safe.”

Four people were arrested during the chaotic melee, and were charged with public violence. 

“Police prevented a group from looting a delivery truck after barricades were place on the road this morning at about 10:30. Suspects were dispersed by police and they ran into near Heinz Park,” said police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana.

“A move by the group to head towards the nearby Watergate Mall was also prevented. Public Order Police, Phillipi East, Samora Machel police and the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement officials responded to the incidents.”

Elsies River unrest 

Other incidents took place in Elsies River, where stores were looted at a supermarket on Halt road by a group of approximately 15 people. Goods valued at R3 000 were taken, with two suspects aged 32 and 43 arrested and charged with theft. 

“An attempt to break into a closed  butchery in area was thwarted as police dispersed the crowd,” said Rwexana. 

In Delft, a group of 50 people stormed a supermarket and looted it of items valued at around R4 000.

“Police dispersed a large crowd that had gathered nearby,” she said. 

“Meanwhile tracing operations are still underway to track the perpetrators. Today’s incident in Delft was preceded by three other incidents yesterday in Keerboom Street and on Delft Main Road where shops were looted.”

Five suspects between the ages of 26 and 31 were arrested for theft.

Vredenburg residents try attack councillor’s home 

Finally, a group of nearly 400 residents of the Witteklip township gathered in Vredenburg on the West Coast, with members of the crowd pelting officers with stones. 

The group had earlier tried to storm a local spaza shop after they complained about not getting food parcels. They also attempted to storm the house of a local ward councillor. 

Four suspects were arrested in that incident. 

“Police are keeping  an eye on the situation,” said Rwexana. 

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said that such incidents were absolutely unnacceptable. 

“Western Cape police wish to warn communities to respect the rule of law and refrain from engaging in unlawful conduct. Failure to act within the parameters of the law with leave the police with no option but to act decisively.”