His call comes as the looting of businesses and properties in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng intensified on Tuesday morning with the premier of KZN, Sihle Zikalala, reporting that so far 26 people have died during the looting or while fleeing the stampede. 

Mokgoro, in a statement, says he is encouraged by the vigilance displayed by residents in the province during what he calls a trying period. Mokgoro applauded residents for having resolved to protect private and public properties from acts of vandalism, thuggery and criminality, as well as the leadership displayed in all sectors of the society in the province. Currently community members, alongside police in Mahikeng, and taxi operators are patrolling the streets whilst meter taxis in Kanana near Orkney outside Klerskdorp are reportedly doing the same.

Meanwhile, the police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, previously said the owners at MegaCity Mall in Mahikeng were closing their businesses as a preventative measure.

OFM News previously reported that these protests in KZN and Gauteng are driven by the anger following the imprisonment of the former president, Jacob Zuma, by the Constitutional Court.

"People of the North West (should) exercise maximum restraint and desist from temptations to embark on any riotous conduct as well as any looting of businesses and other properties.

"(Thank you) to the various political and community leaders, organisations and formations across the province for having displayed leadership in encouraging communities to distance themselves from acts of vandalism, looting and destruction of properties as witnessed in other parts of the country," Mokgoro adds.

He has further commended members of the community for cooperating with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in ensuring that no property is destroyed or looted.

"Residents of our province took to social media platforms to encourage residents in different towns and those in another province to prevent looting and this morning North West Province is trending on social media platforms for this good initiative," he further adds.

OFM News