Looters be warned: ‘We will defend Middelburg!’
“We will defend Middelburg!” That was the message circulated by local residents amidst the ongoing chaos in other parts of the country.
The beginning of the week saw social media flooded with videos, images and news reports of widespread looting, especially in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Closer to home, the N11 was blocked at Doornkop on Sunday night.
On Tuesday morning, Middelburg Mall Manager Mike Tammadge made the call to close for business after receiving threats that the mall might be targeted.
Community leaders such as former mayor Ben Mokwena, as well as other residents, were quick to circulate a message reading, “In Middelburg we refuse to join the looting. We will defend our town.”
Another message reads, “Middelburg, let’s protect our bothers’ and sisters’ jobs and businesses. No looting in Middelburg.”
Trouble-makers were quickly put in their place.
Also read: Middelburg not overwhelmed by protests – all is calm
Wayne Hill, chairman of Afriforum Buurtwag and also a spokesman for local community safety groups, said that they have a proactive plan in place and are ready to react swiftly should trouble arise.
He says that they have been working together with the Middelburg Police and municipal law enforcement to enforce the 21:00 curfew and make sure people stay at home at night.
Also read: No looting end in sight
Hennie Niemann, DA Ward Councillor for Aerorand, also asked residents to remain calm and act responsibly. He mentioned voice messages circulating that are telling people to destroy businesses and pleads with the community not to support them.
The Middelburg Police Communications Office confirmed that there were no incidents of looting on Monday.
Several members of the community had their say on our social media platforms:
Pitso Austin Tlou: “We need to mobilise as Middelburgers and prevent this nonsensical behaviour in our beautiful town, we can’t afford to lose what we already have, no we can’t allow this.”
Zahn Fazzari Botha: “Thank you to the biggest armed security team protecting our Middelburg Mall, and most of all our awesome God. Please pray for our amazing security teams. God is good all the time.”
Peter Lesiba: “Looting is for people that don’t care about the future. Here in Middelburg we don’t do such stupidity.”
Charlene Ntuku: “We must fight against this. Let’s report if we see or hear something please.”
Sakie Malesela Maleka: “I’m pleading with everyone, please let’s stand against looting in Middelburg.”
