Cops, community keep Mamelodi looters at bay

An increase in the police force and community involvement has seen fewer cases of looting in Mamelodi on Tuesday night.

Clashes between law enforcement agencies and looters continued late into the night at Mamelodi mall, which eventually saw some of the looters arrested.

On Wednesday morning, Police Minister Bheki Cele made his way to the Mamelodi mall to assess the aftermath of the destruction.

He said that 116 people were arrested in connection with the looting in Mamelodi.

“Most of the mall’s 70 shops have been looted.”

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) and affiliated taxi associations vowed to protect local malls.

Denlyn shopping centre, which was looted on Monday, was protected from looters on Tuesday evening.

“Thank you to each and everyone who assisted last night, to keep Denlyn safe. We strongly condemn violent protesting and criminal acts that aim to disrupt and loot businesses.

“We are closely monitoring the situation. Kindly keep an eye on this Facebook page, we will inform you when Denlyn will open again,” the shopping centre said on Facebook.

About 72 people have been killed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal since last week Friday, police said, adding more than 1 000 people have since been arrested.

Centurion Police spokesperson Captain Dave Miller said no incidents of looting or violent protests in Centurion were reported this week.

Liam van den Heever, spokesperson for Copwatch, also said that Centurion had been quiet. He said they remained on high alert and carried out hourly patrols around shopping centres, schools and high-risk areas in communities.