Giyani residents burn shops
Disgruntled Limpopo residents looted and b urnt shops after a suspected fraudster was killed at a supermarket in the Giyani CBD.
Police said it was alleged that a shop owner and workers attacked the victim on Tuesday at the Big Save Supermarket after he was found with fraudulent receipts.
Police said the victim was caught while attempting to collect goods with the receipt.
Violence erupted after people shopping nearby heard about how the Zimbabwean man was assaulted and left to die.
The alleged con artist’s shocking death left a trail of destruction as protesters looted nearby shops.
Their businesses came to a standstill as angry shoppers haphazardly vented their anger.
Giyani police spokesman, warrant officer Thomas Makhubela, said five people were arrested in connection with the Zimbabwean’s death. They appeared in the Giyani Magistrate’s Court and were charged with murder.
The case was postponed to June 30 for a formal bail application.
“Apparently the [arrested] suspects noticed that the receipt to collect goods was fake, they grabbed the victims and beat them. When police arrived one of them was already late,” said Makhubela.
He said two others were rescued from the and rushed to the local Nkhensani hospital where they were admitted.
Makhubele said investigations were continuing and appealed to shop owners who suspected criminal activities to report the matter to police.
“They should not take law unto themselves, they must report to police.”
Mohammed Osman, a spokesperson for the Indian Business Owners Association in the area, said they were worried that "all Indians will be painted with [the same brush as] businessmen who break the law".
Osman said they were afraid to open their shops because of ongoing looting.
Most shop owners in the area closed their businesses as police tried to quell the looting and vandalising of stores.
No arrests were made in connection with the looting and vandalism.
Makeshift street markets were also deserted with no stock or street traders operating.
Those from villages outside Giyani who came for shopping returned home disappointed as supermarkets remain closed.
But streets vendors said their businesses had collapsed because of ongoing looting and torching of stores in the area.
Makhubela said police would continue to monitor the situation in the area to make sure that peace and stability was restored in the business district.