Violence and looting has continued to escalate across KwaDukuza and Mandeni municipalities today.

Mandeni, Ntshawini, Etete and Shakaskraal all saw large-scale looting across all stores with alcohol seen as prized contraband.

The Courier followed Umhlali Saps officers who attended one such looting in Etete.

AB’s Liquor Store was almost completely cleaned out, as was the owner’s home behind the store.

Both were later lit on fire.

When drunken crowds of around 150 people started to surround the police officers, they had no choice but to evacuate the elderly store owner and his wife and what little stock they had left.

A number of arrests and stolen good recoveries were made.

Looters were seen carrying off mattresses, clothing, food, electronics and other furniture items.

In Shakaskraal looting continued throughout the day, with a mob of around 500 people on the R102 which cuts through the town.

There were numerous blockages on the road and protesters used this as an opportunity to throw stones at passing police vehicles, said Umhlali police spokesperson, captain Vinny Pillay.

He confirmed that 4 police vehicles had been damaged by the rioters.

USave, Pep, and Shoprite were all looted, with Shoprite later set on fire.

Shakaskraal continues to be a no-go zone.

Throughout the morning, Umhlali Saps made 12 arrests for public violence.

Those arrested are expected to appear in court tomorrow if roads reopen.

The most violent protest locally occurred at around 8am near Shaka’s Head and at the Chaka’s Rock offramp.

Between 200 and 400 protesters clashed with private security companies.

The rioters closed both the N2 at Chaka’s Rock and the road joining the N2 and R102 at Shaka’s Head.

A blockade was erected so that the mob could not reach Simbithi and the greater Salt Rock area.

Stones were thrown at passing vehicles and highway signs were pulled down to increase the size of the blockage.

Later, there was a moment of panic for Sheffield Manor Estate residents who thought their estate had been targeted by an arsonist.

A blockage that was lit on fire on the Sheffield dirt road had actually jumped onto reeds surrounding the estate.

The fire was quickly put out. 

Currently, the N2 is closed between Ballito and KwaDukuza as is the R102 for the same route.

The M4 is closed at Beach Bums, but is open from Umdloti to Umhlanga.

The N2 is open from Ballito to Umhlanga.