A second person was arrested on the West Rand on suspicion of creating and circulating inflammatory messages with the potential of inciting violence, National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJOINTS) spokesperson, Colonel Brenda Muridili confirmed.

Also read: LISTEN: Person arrested whose malicious voice note causes panic

“To this end, police in the West Rand District arrested two suspects – one on Thursday evening, July 15 in Roodepoort, and the second suspect on Friday, July 16 in Westonaria. They are expected to appear in the respective magistrates’ courts today.”

Colonel Muridili added a third suspect, a 21-year-old woman was arrested in Duduza in Ekurhuleni on Saturday, July 17 for similar reasons.

The NatJOINTS through its Intelligence Coordinating Community (ICC) is also aware of more messages cropping up and being circulated on various social media platforms, threatening to attack police stations and disarm law-enforcement officers; attack courts of law and key infrastructure such as fuel pipelines and refineries; and to engage in more looting.

“The NatJOINTS has subsequently mobilised maximum resources to address these threats and heighten visibility. Measures have also been put in place to ensure stability, and the protection and safety of those who are not involved in the unrest and wish to go on with their daily routine.”

NatJOINTS, co-chaired by the SANDF, SAPS and the SSA, has welcomed the influx of calls and tip-offs received via the My SAPS app from various communities in both KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, which have seen the integrated security forces recover volumes of suspected stolen property of which the value is yet to be determined.

By Sunday morning, July 18 a total of 3 407 suspects had been arrested on various charges since the violence erupted over a week ago. Only one suspect was granted bail, 1 122 were expected to appear in different courts in the two most-affected provinces, and the remaining dockets were under investigation.

Colonel Muridili said that in the concerted response by the NatJOINTS to the recent acts of unrest and opportunistic criminality, where tensions now appear to be simmering down, security forces have embarked on recovery operations with the collaboration of citizens who have gone out of their way to give tip-offs to the police, with some cleaning up their streets and business premises that were affected by the looting of the past week.

A warning has also been issued to those who were not part of the looting spree but are buying stolen property from the looters that they too will be arrested for being in possession of stolen property.

“During integrated operations in Gauteng at a number of hostels – mostly in Tembisa, Johannesburg, Alexandra and Moroka – over the weekend, 14 suspects were arrested for being in possession of suspected looted property. Among the goods recovered were mattresses; television sets; couches; fridges; sound systems; computer screens and laptops; steel frames; and grocery and clothing items. Meanwhile in KwaZulu-Natal 92 suspects were arrested over the weekend for being in possession of stolen property.

At the same time the NatJOINTS has reiterated the call for people to refrain from inciting violence by creating and circulating inflammatory messages that seek to do nothing but elevate the levels of tension, confusion and fear among communities. These messages instil fear in our communities and undermine the authority of the state.”

Members of the public should continue to report criminality to the police, which may be done anonymously by calling the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or via the My SAPS app that can be downloaded onto any smartphone.

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