North man arrested for public violence
The man was arrested while allegedly fleeing police with a trolley filled with goods looted from a delivery truck.
A 24-year-old man was arrested during a violent protest over a two-day long electricity outage in Soshanguve on Tuesday.
The man was allegedly one of the instigators of a protest in block P, according to police spokesperson Captain Stephen Maluleka.
Soshanguve residents had taken to the streets on Tuesday morning to the power outage in the area.
It was alleged the man was in the crowd that blockaded the road with rocks and tree branches.
“Their protest turned violent when they started looting delivery trucks,” said Maluleka.
“When the police arrived at the scene, the crowd ran amok and the suspect was arrested while trying to flee with a delivery trolley filled with goods stolen from the truck.”
According to the truck driver, he was in the area to deliver goods to various local shops when the mob began looting his truck.
“The Rietgat Police Station would like to send a strong and unequivocal message to the members of the community that stealing from vehicles, throwing stones and attacking motorists at service delivery protests is a criminal offence,” said Maluleka.
“Transgressors will be dealt with accordingly.”
Station commander, Dikeledi Hlatshwayo urged protesters to refrain from illegal and unlawful behaviour during protests – or run the risk of arrest.
“The investigation to effect more arrests is underway and the station continues to monitor the situation around the hotspots and vows to protect the people of Soshanguve, motorists, visitors and their properties,” said Maluleka.
The arrested suspect is expected to appear in the Soshanguve magistrate’s court on a charge of public violence soon.
Resident Sello Motshekga said his fellow residents were fed up with the power outages that “had become a regular occurrence”.
He said blocks P and R were always continuously affected by power outages.
Another resident, Bertha Nkomo, said protesting was the only way they could get through to the Tshwane metro.
She said residents lost groceries and electrical equipment during power outages.
Motshekga said power went out on Friday night; came back on late on Saturday; then went off again on Tuesday. She said by 11:30 on Wednesday, it had still not been restored.
“We are sick and tired of all these power outages,” she said.
“Something must be done urgently.
This is costing us a lot, we always have to throw away food worth hundreds if not thousands of rands.”
Maluleka urged residents to report any acts of criminality on 08600-10111, 10111 or by SMS to Crimeline on 32211 or Rietgat SAPS on 012-432-7806 or 012-432-7807.
ALSO READ:
https://rekordnorth.co.za/111769/two-men-killed-in-violent-soshanguve-protest/
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