142 arrested as looting and public violence erupt across Bloemfontein
Police say social media calls for a ‘total shutdown’ sparked unrest, with businesses and tuckshops targeted across the Free State capital.
The Free State police in Mangaung have arrested 142 suspects following incidents of public violence, looting and malicious damage to property across several areas in Bloemfontein.
Bloemfontein Courant reports that according to Free State police spokesperson Thabo Covane, the unrest was allegedly fuelled by voice recordings and digital posters circulating on social media platforms calling for a ‘total shutdown’.
Opportunistic groups reportedly used the mobilisation to target local businesses and tuckshops.
“As a result, SAPS opened multiple cases, including public violence, business burglary, business robbery, possession of suspected stolen property and malicious damage to property,” Covane says.
Looting spreads across areas
The looting reportedly began on Sunday (May 24) in Bloemspruit Phase 6, where a crowd stormed a local grocery store.
Community members intervened to protect the store manager before police units could arrive.
The violence later spread to Maditlhabela in Phase 6, where approximately 80 people allegedly threw stones at police vehicles.
In Pieter Swarts, tuckshop owners managed to prevent further losses by removing stock from their businesses after attempted break-ins.
Multiple arrests made
At around 23:45, officers arrested 10 suspects who were allegedly caught inside a shop stealing grocery items.
Additional arrests were later made on Mahlomola Street in Bochabela, where suspects were reportedly found looting a tuckshop.
Yesterday (May 25), police dispersed a crowd of approximately 100 people gathered on Moshoeshoe Street.
New incidents of looting were later reported at Bergman Square, where police arrested suspects found in possession of suspected stolen goods, while others were detained for business robbery.
Police said calm has since been restored in the affected areas as investigations continue.
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Read original story on www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za
