SAPS reports rise in arrests and fatalities amid ongoing protests
More boots have been on the ground to police the rampant elements of criminality perpetrated by the looting of businesses and destruction of property.
THE South African Police Services (SAPS) have reported a total number of arrests at 1 234 while the number of fatalities is now at 72 as of Wednesday, 14 July.
With the recent deployment of the Defence Force members and the augmentation of law enforcement officers by the recalling of SAPS members from leave and rest days, more boots have been on the ground to police the rampant elements of criminality perpetrated by the looting of businesses and destruction of property. The number of arrests has risen to 1 234 (KZN 549 and GP 683).
Provincial Commissioners have in the meantime also activated the SAPS social crime prevention strategy and have been engaging with various stakeholders including community-based organisations, traditional leaders and the business community in order to amplify current operational plans to best tackle the looting and destruction of property currently prevalent in KZN and GP. The total number of people who have lost their lives since the beginning of these protests in KZN on Friday, 9 July 2021 has risen to 72.
In KZN there are 27 cases being investigated by the police (murder 14, inquest 13) while the number in GP is 45 (murder 19, inquest 26). The greater part of the inquest dockets relates to stampedes that occurred during incidents of looting of shops and malls; while other deaths and injuries were related to ATM explosions and shootings.
The SAPS, Defence and SSA as co-chairpersons of the NatJOINTS have condemned the attacks on law enforcement officers which have now resulted in the death of an officer from Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, while seven SAPS members are recovering from injuries sustained while responding to violent protests (KZN 3, GP 4).
In response to reports of armed community members retaliating against protesters, the NatJOINTS has emphasised and reminded the public that although persons are entitled to protect their property and lives, the right to life is protected in the Constitution; and can only be infringed in extremely limited circumstances, in order to, inter alia, protect the life or bodily integrity of the defender.
The NatJOINTS has commended the collaboration between the police and community through established platforms such as Community Policing Forums and Community in Blue. The public is urged to continue reporting crime on the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.
