Alex Mall in Joburg shuts down as army arrives

Alex Mall shuts down as army arrives

Alex Mall has just shut down its doors and no shoppers are allowed in anymore following threats that looters were heading to the centre.

Mall communication and marketing manager Ntokozo Bephela said the mall had so far been spared from the mayhem that has been witnessed in other places, particularly Pan Africa Shopping Centre which has been under siege since Saturday night, July 10.

Bophela confirmed the arrival of the army on-site to safeguard the mall from unrelenting looters.

She said before the closure, the mall had taken precautionary measures and had not been allowing the public to drive into the mall, only foot shoppers.

“When news of the mall being targeted next reached us, we decided to close our doors and we were lucky because as [we] closed, the army arrived,” Bophela said.

She said the mall would remain closed and the situation would be assessed on a daily basis to see whether it was safe to open the doors for shoppers again.

Update: 13:43

Looters ransack Pan Africa stores in Alexandra

Unrest continues in Alexandra today, July 12, with protesters continuing to loot shops at Pan Africa Shopping Centre.

Alex residents are warned to avoid the area. This comes after various looting incidents and road barricades by residents across parts of Johannesburg on July 11. It is believed that many of these incidents are linked to protests against the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma.

Local residents, including those who were heading to or from work, were seen taking advantage of the situation and joining the looting both yesterday and today.