Doors locked at ‘chaotic’ Theku Plaza

Security guards at the entrances to the mall had to lock the doors to restrict the number of people surging in.

March 27, 2020

Charmaine Mazibuko 1 minute read

Masses of residents try to enter Theku Plaza in Blaauwbosch.

Chaos reigned at Theku Plaza in Blaauwbosch this morning, prompting mall’s management to call for additional manpower from SAPS and the SA National Defence Force to control the masses of people, who arrived to do shopping despite the country being in its first day of a national lockdown.

Security guards manning the entrances to the mall had to lock the doors to restrict the number of people surging in.

Centre Manager, Estelle van Vuuren said they were trying to manage the situation: “I don’t have time to answer questions right now, I am trying to control people and assist everyone who needs help. I have the assistance of police at the moment. We are only letting a few people in.”

Captain MB Nkosi, spokesperson for Madadeni SAPS, confirmed SAPS members were on site to assist but had major challenges as far as manpower was concerned.

“Police can’t cover every area in the community, although we are trying to do our best where we can. People are allowed to go out and buy groceries, but I think the problem at Theku Plaza has come about because there are no taxis for people to get to town, so as a result there is an overflow of people there right now. Everyone is coming to get their necessities at the plaza. We are however, closely monitoring the situation.”

The queue outside Theku Plaza stretches out onto the pavement.

Police were also on patrol at the Nine Mile intersection between Madadeni and Osizweni this morning, pulling vehicles over and requesting the drivers produce the required documentation permitting them to be out in public.