Johannesburg - The atmosphere in Soweto was tense on Monday as businesses prepared for another round of unrest and looting following threats of destabilising the country made on social media.
Police and politicians went on a visibility campaign starting off at Maponya Mall, the only mall in Soweto spared from the devastation of looting and destruction.
MEC of Community Safety Faith Mazibuko and Gauteng Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela together with members of the SANDF did a walk-through at Maponya Mall, Bara Mall and other areas lobbying communities and other stakeholders not to submit to the call for a national shutdown.
The show of force by officials also saw the entourage going to other parts of Johannesburg such as Alexandra and the East Rand.
In other places the taxi industry played a role in guarding businesses.
The Star understands that more than 5 000 police officials were ready for any eventuality of unrest or looting. While the situation was calm in Soweto, police said they did not want to be caught off guard.
Mawela said he was not sure how long the police operation would last but urged members of the police force to be mentally and physically alert.
“People said they are going to shut down the country, they said they are going to attack the police stations, they will rob them of firearms and they will go to other security agencies and rob them of firearms, so that they arm themselves and come and attack.
“It is out there on social media that key points like power stations and so forth (are under threat) so we didn’t take anything lightly,” Mawela said.
Nhlanhla Lux, a youth leader who became famous for his defence of Maponya Mall, said he and other men had been guarding the mall since last week when the poster calling for another shutdown first emerged on social media. Lux said he was able to gather enough support to ensure other malls in Soweto are also protected by community members.
“We have enough intelligence around Soweto. We decided to protect the malls this week because there are many protests planned this week. There are many people who like criminalising things … we are not going to tolerate that,” Lux said.
Maponya Mall spokesperson Howard Kekana said the mall’s security had been strengthened.
“The mall remains on high alert.”
The Star