Police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, says so far there hasn’t been any case of looting that was reported. He, however, says the owners are closing their businesses as a preventative measure. Pictures of owners shutting down their business in that area continue to do rounds on social media amidst the violent protests and looting in different parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. 

These protests are apparently driven by the anger following the imprisonment of the former president, Jacob Zuma, by the Constitutional Court.

Meanwhile, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been deployed on Monday to the streets of Gauteng and KZN to help the police deal with riots. SANDF spokesperson, Mafi Mgobozi, in a statement says they commenced with pre-deployment processes and procedures in line with a request for assistance, received from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) to assist law enforcement agencies deployed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces respectively to quell the unrest that has gripped both provinces in the last few days.

“The deployment will commence as soon as all deployment processes are in place. The duration and number of deployed soldiers will be determined based on the assessment of the situation on the ground by the relevant law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, it must be emphasised that the SANDF`s deployment objective is to provide safety and a safe working environment for members of the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies whilst they carry out their Constitutionally mandated law and order duties,” he adds.

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