Violence and looting continued in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, despite President Cyril Ramaphosa warning that those behind the violent protests and anarchy would be arrested and prosecuted.
LIVE NEWS FEED:
- 1.04pm
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has called on Gauteng Law Enforcement Agencies to put stringent measures in place to deal with ongoing protest actions that are taking place in various areas across the province.
’’The Portfolio Committee is concerned that these sporadic protest actions which have been characterised by looting and vandalism are taking place at a time when the country is on adjusted alert level 4 as a means to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
’’What is of more concern is the blind involvement of young people in these illegal protest actions who we should be looking at as future leaders of this country...
’’We have noted that in some areas these protests and unrest have been accompanied by provocation and intimidation of innocent people who have nothing to do with whatever conditions that have given rise to these unlawful protest actions. In some instances some people who are involved in this unrest have fired live ammunition and injuring police officers.’’
- 1pm
EFF leader Julius Malema has responded to the deployment of soldiers from the SANDF to Gauteng and KZN, threatening to join the riots if the soldiers were deployed. He has called for a political solution.
No soldiers on our streets! Otherwise, we are joining. All fighters must be ready... they won't kill us all. We need a political solution to a political problem, not soldiers.#NoToSoldiers
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) July 12, 2021
- 12.53pm
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) said in a statement they have agreed to recall all officers on leave or deployed elsewhere to curb the violence and looting centred in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. ’’We call on all our members to heed this call to defend our country from all these violent protests and urge all to be vigilant and exercise extreme caution in discharging their duties,’’ Popcru said.
- 12.50pm
#SAShutdown Factories are now on fire & being looted in Eastwood, Pietermaritzburg. #eNCA pic.twitter.com/axkZx1Kcs0
— Siphamandla Goge (@SiphamandlaGoge) July 12, 2021
- 12.24pm
Anticipating that the SANDF would be deployed, EFF leader Julius Malema said at the weekend: ’’You can't start with SA Police Service or SANDF as the first call. The question should be, where are the leaders to speak to their people? Are they scared of their people? And if the answer is yes, the next question should be: why are (they) leaders in the first place?”
You can't start with @SAPoliceService or @SANDF_ZA as the first call. The question should be: Where are the leaders to speak to their people? Are they scared of their people? And if the answer is yes, the next question should be: why are the leaders in the first place?
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) July 11, 2021
- 12.18pm
It's now started at Maponya Mall
— Sam (@Samsigma23) July 12, 2021
Is there an iStore at Maponya mall??#ShutDownGauteng pic.twitter.com/Fe3F8iv0q3
- 12.18pm
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) says that it has commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures in line with a request for assistance received from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) "to assist law enforcement agencies deployed in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal Provinces respectively to quell the unrest that has gripped both Provinces in the last few days. The deployment will commence as soon as all deployment processes".
"The duration and number of deploying soldiers will be determined based on the assessment of the situation on the ground by the relevant law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, it must be emphasised that the SANDF`s deployment objective is to provide safety and a safe working environment for members of the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies whilst they carry out their Constitutionally mandated law and order duties. SANDF deployment-related information updates will follow in due course".
- 12.12pm
CONFIRMED: The South African National Defence Force is being deployed to volatile areas to deal with the unrest currently being experienced in parts of the country.
SANDF spokesperson Brigadier-General Mafi Mgobhozi told IOL on Monday: ’’We received a request that we must deploy the SANDF to areas where there is unrest. As soon as the process has been completed, we will be able to deploy.’’
The SANDF is being deployed.
— #ITSCOMINGHOME 🏴🏴 (@SihleMlambo_) July 12, 2021
"We received a request that we must deploy the SANDF to areas where there is unrest. As soon as the process has been completed, we will be able to deploy" - Brigadier-General Mafi Mgobhozi #ShutdownSA
- 12.04pm
SANDF deployed to Pietermaritzburg
Television news channel, eNCA is reporting that the SANDF has been deployed in the Pietermaritzburg CBD.
- 12.04pm
DA leader John Steenhuisen said President Cyril Ramaphosa’s ’’reluctance to deal decisively with the ANC’s internal war has now seen this morph into a free-for-all looting spree’’. https://t.co/4chuEobMnC
— IOL News (@IOL) July 12, 2021
- 11.24am
The City said it was concerned about the number of videos circulating on social media allegedly showing Durban metro cops looting. https://t.co/60olbV5oav
— IOL News (@IOL) July 12, 2021
- 11.42am
Independent Media’s senior politics reporter Sihle Mavuso says ATMs have also been targeted amid the violent looting rocking KZN and Gauteng. He said ATM machines were targeted in KwaMashu at the KwaMashu Shopping Centre, north of Durban
Bank ATMs were also targetted by looters of KwaMashu shopping centre. pic.twitter.com/uh40R03xVZ
— Sihle Mavuso (@NewsBotZA) July 12, 2021
- 11.40am
Passenger train service Metrorail has suspended train services in Gauteng following the escalation and spread of violence which erupted following the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma. #ZumaArrest https://t.co/c8CKPg9M6c
— IOL News (@IOL) July 12, 2021
- 11.34am
ETHEKWINI CLINICS AND COMMUNITY VACCINATION SITES CLOSED DUE TO CIVIL UNREST
The public is informed that eThekwini Municipality’s healthcare facilities (clinics) and community vaccination sites are closed today, 12 July due to ongoing civil unrest across the City.
The Municipality has closed its clinics due to threats that have been directed at health facilities in the City.
The ongoing civil unrest has also affected community vaccination sites which have been unable to operate today.
The Municipality will reassess the situation during the day and advise the public accordingly.
Residents who qualify for phase 2 of the vaccination rollout, which includes those aged 50 and above are urged to continue to register to receive the vaccine. They can dial *134*832*ID number# or send the word REGISTER to 0600123456 on Whatsapp or alternatively enter their details at vaccine.enroll.health.gov.za.
For health emergency, the public can contact the ambulance service on 10177 or visit hospitals near their area.
- 11.31am
Ethekwini Mayor calls for calm:
Following an upsurge in violent public protests in the city, eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda has called for calm and urged Metro Police, Emergency and Fire Services to continue to maintain high visibility in all areas that have been identified as hot spots.
Since the incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma last week, the city continues to experience sporadic violent protests in areas such as Peacevale along the N3, Umgababa on the N2, KwaMashu, Inanda, Umlazi, Clermont, Pinetown and the CBD.
“Working with the SAPS, we have developed an integrated safety plan which includes heightened police visibility in these hot spot areas. We have also activated our community structures to work with us to bring stability in the city.,” said Kaunda.
He reiterated government’s call that while it appreciates the anger among the people which was occasioned by the arrest of the former President, we must not put the lives of other people at risk by embarking on violent public protest and destroy property.
He said that the country was still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic which has adversely affected the economy and jobs. “We therefore request the residents of eThekwini to desist from embarking on violent actions which may exacerbate the economic crisis. Let us exercise restraint and prevent loss of lives and damage to property,” said Kaunda.
While the city is facing this difficult situation, Kaunda said that the Municipality will do its utmost best to minimise service delivery interruptions. “We would like to commend our law enforcement agencies for working around the clock to stabilise the situation across the city.” said Kaunda
Value Centre, Springfield pic.twitter.com/Cbw1lFWtLr
— The Fatal Moves Team (@FatalMoves) July 12, 2021
- 10.51am
Pietermaritzburg KZN. #Unrest pic.twitter.com/ejMZ4YfcLy
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) July 12, 2021
- 10.59am
Police battle with looters at Letsoho Shopping Centre in Katlehong.
— IOL News (@IOL) July 12, 2021
Read more here: https://t.co/3v1xWJnngd
Video: Itumeleng English/@AfriNewsAgency #zumaprotests #ShutdownSA #ZumaUnrest #looting pic.twitter.com/phZo5D4wkK
- 10.46am
Police update – National Police spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili:
The NatJOINTS has intensified deployments in all the areas in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal affected by the violent protests as the damage to property and looting of stores continued overnight.
The NatJOINTS is receiving Intelligence support from its Intelligence Coordinating Committee comprising of SAPS Crime Intelligence, Defense Intelligence as well as State Security Intelligence, to enable law enforcement to counter these sporadic violent protests.
Gauteng police are investigating the circumstances into the deaths of four people since the break out of violent protests in Gauteng. On Sunday morning, the police responded to a call from Alexandra Clinic where they found a body with gunshot wounds. Later that day, the body of a security guard with assault wounds was found at Jeppestown. The third body was discovered also on Sunday, in the evening in Dobsonville while the fourth body was discovered with gunshot wounds in Germiston. The cause of death for the security guard and as well as the body found in Dobsonville is part of investigations.
In KwaZulu-Natal, there is a report of two people who have been killed, one in Inanda and the second one in Umbilo. The circumstances leading up to their deaths is under investigation.
The extent of damage to property and the looting of businesses will be determined at a later stage.
- 10.43am
National police say that 219 people were arrested as of 8.30am today in connection with the violence and looting taking place. Of those arrested, 96 were Gauteng and 123 in KZN. Six people have died.
- 10.42am
Pietermaritzburg High Court staff members have been warned not to come to work on Monday due to the violent protests taking place in the city. In a statement on Monday, the Office of the Chief Justice said: ’’Due to the current protest action in the Province, there is insufficient personnel at the court. The General Office (Annexed Building) will therefore be closed on the 12th July, 2021.’’
- 10.26am
KwaMashu Shopping Centre was set alight on Monday morning as protestors looting stores inside the mall.
— IOL News (@IOL) July 12, 2021
VIDEO: @NewsBotZA/ IOL Politics#zumaprotests #FreeZuma #ShutdownSA pic.twitter.com/hc3z5eDIp6
- 9.44am
My father's small business went through challenges like Durban floods & the pandemic in the last year or so. But the looting is the most devastating. Systemic inequality fueled by thieving politicians is ruining this country. Impunity at every level. #SouthAfricaisBurning pic.twitter.com/nip7b5ooEO
— Fathima (@FathiMahomedy) July 12, 2021
- 9.40am
EFF Statement On Ramaphosa Incompetency At Handling Covid-19 And Uprisings In Kwa-Zulu Natal And Gauteng pic.twitter.com/meQpuVMtVr
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) July 12, 2021
- 9.40am
Due to the unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, Dis-Chem Pharmacies, Dis-Chem Vaccination Sites and Dis-Chem Drive Through Testing Stations in the area will be closed today. We appreciate your patience and apologise for any inconvenience. 💚 KZN family, please stay safe. pic.twitter.com/EXSvvjXa2v
— Dis-Chem (@Dischem) July 12, 2021
- 8.41am
Sporadic violence has erupted, with dozens arrested after looting in KwaZulu-Natal, where ex-president Jacob Zuma is in jail, and in Johannesburg.
— IOL News (@IOL) July 12, 2021
Read the full story here: https://t.co/IP5JM1a2q4
🎥 Doctor Ngcobo/ @AfriNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/elBXTRlzk4
- 7.25am
Brookside Mall, a fairly new shopping complex, in Pietermaritzburg has gone up in flames this morning. The mall is situated alongside the N3 freeway as it passes through PMB. The city, which is situated in a valley, is being engulfed by smoke. @CyrilRamaphosa DO SOMETHING!!!😭💔 pic.twitter.com/DVWGesBVwY
— Rianté Padayachee (@RianteP) July 12, 2021
- 7.04am
#ShutdownSA spreading through Tshwane this morning #Pretoria #Hammanskraal https://t.co/3m8Q22qutJ
— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) July 12, 2021
- 7.03am
Exclusive footage.Police officers are seen leaving people to loot at Shoprite in Point, Durban whilst also looting. The female officers are seen loading a police van. An eye witness tells me she saw police physically stocking cooler boxes,mostly liquor. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/j1nwECO7OS
— Jayed-Leigh Paulse (@JayedLeigh) July 12, 2021
- 6.54am
Live visuals coming from Point Rd Shoprite in Durban CBD. Non stop looting throughout the night into the morning. No police presence.
— Leanne Manas (@LeanneManas) July 12, 2021
(Visuals sped up) #ShutdownSA pic.twitter.com/E8E1liGELl
- 6.37am
The useless 9 years when the Guptas were governing this country created big mess. It will take this country long before we recover. The former Proxy President gave a lot chance to the foreign handlers. Eish, our beloved country! It is hard to reverse the Gupta mess. Eish!
— L.I.Mohale (@i_mohale) July 12, 2021
- 6.30am
Our Proxy President Of WMC. Our People Are Poor Not Criminals! Our People Are Hungry Not Criminals! Our People Are Unemployed Not Criminals! Our People Are Struggling Not Criminals!
— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) July 12, 2021
- 6.04am
Eastern Cape - Gqeberha: N2 Route: Burning Trucks north of the City pic.twitter.com/zPaC4VALOY
— Rob Beezy (@TrafficSA) July 12, 2021
- Monday, July 12, 3.19am
Using your common sense. By watching this video, one could tell that this is not about Zuma supporters but tribe. This is jeppe hostel. This guys are Zulus most of them here. They are singing Zulus song of war. What does that tells you.? pic.twitter.com/J7DEUxgZeU
— Jingles_Pereira (@JinglesPereira) July 12, 2021
- Sunday, July 11, 10.50pm
The Foundation will approach the @SAHRCommission tomorrow to report Pres Ramaphosa for his reckless, devisive & unsubstantiated allegations about ethnic based mobilisation.
— JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) July 11, 2021
Where is his evidence that these country-wide protests are ethnic based? pic.twitter.com/kT6bRz9vi5
Police are investigating the deaths of two people in Johannesburg – one in Alexandra and the other in Jeppestown – as looting, intimidation and violence, which began on Friday in KwaZulu-Natal, persists.
In parts of Gauteng – especially in in central Johannesburg, Alexandra, Vosloorus and Ekurhuleni – shops were looted, properties and cars torched as the violence saw paramedics fleeing for their safety on Sunday. Groups of people ran amok in central Johannesburg, Alexandra, Vosloorus and Ekurhuleni and other parts of the province on Sunday.
Looting and mayhem continued in many parts of KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, with major routes being closed to traffic. Durban's public transport system was not operating and even funerals had been put on hold.
The SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) in KZN said taxis would not be operating. The entire N3 Toll Route, in both directions, from Harrismith in the Free State to Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal, was closed to traffic as “a result of the current spate of uncontrollable violent attacks on road users, trucks, security and emergency services and businesses”.
Reports from Pietermaritzburg on Monday indicated that Brookside Mall had gone up in flames this morning. The mall is situated alongside the N3 freeway as it passes through the city. Yesterday, shops were looted in the Durban CBD, Tongaat, Verulam, Amanzimtoti, Springfield and Overport on Sunday. Protesters continued to loot shopping centres on Monday morning.
The violence and looting continues despite President Cyril Ramaphosa’s plea last night that while the Constitution guarantees everyone's right to freely express themselves and to engage in peaceful protest, the violence and looting are endangering lives and damaging efforts to rebuild the economy. Ramaphosa warned that those behind the violent protests and anarchy would be arrested and prosecuted.
Without referring specifically to the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma, Ramaphosa said those who may feel hurt and angry at this moment had no justification for resorting to ’’violent, destructive and disruptive actions’’.
IOL