The police’s leadership briefed Parliament’s police committee on Friday.

"Although the situation is relatively calm, it remains volatile especially as far as Gauteng and KZN are concerned. We have noted that there are calls for mobilisation in other provinces such as the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and the Northern Cape," said major-general Leon Rabie.

Rabie told MPs the deployment of troops from the South African National Defence Force has greatly assisted an overstretched police service.

"We have also, unfortunately, noted incidents of law enforcement capabilities participating in the looting, thus undermining the credibility of law enforcement. There are currently isolated incidents of looting of malls and shops and targeting of foreign-owned shops.”

Major-general Phumelele Makhoba, who is the acting deputy commissioner in KZN, said the situation in the province is calm.

"What is left now is the items that were looted from the shops that are left on the streets. We see members of the community going back to those areas to try and take whatever is left on the street. At the same time, we have the business fraternity assisted by the community cleaning up the damage, which started yesterday and is continuing.

"We are also seeing, on a big scale, members of the community coming on board in trying to assist the police in ensuring that their areas are safe. Talking to the people moving in and out of the areas with an idea to identify possible looters or criminals targeting their areas. We have national key points and other critical infrastructure that we are looking after," said Makhoba.

Jacaranda News