62 arrested for violent protests in Gauteng, KZN
Police in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal have made dozens of arrests following the outbreak of widespread violent protests in the two provinces.
The protests, borne from anger over the jailing of former president Jacob Zuma, began in KZN on Friday and has since spread to Gauteng.
"This is in response to incidents of opportunistic criminality and violent protests in the two provinces over the weekend," says police spokesperson Brenda Muridili.
"Police in Gauteng alongside members of Johannesburg metro police on Saturday night responded swiftly to sporadic incidents of looting of businesses and barricading of roads in Jeppe and Alexandra, and arrested 25 suspects.
"In the Jeppe policing precinct, police dispersed a group of about 300 people who had barricaded the M2 freeway.
"It is alleged that one group then headed to the Jeppestown where they looted a number of businesses.
"Seven suspects were arrested, four of whom were found inside one of the stores, while three were arrested for public violence and for being in possession of suspected stolen property.
"In Alexandra, police arrested 18 suspects - 16 of them for public violence also linked to the shooting of a police officer who was rushed to hospital for urgent medical attention.
"Two other police officers sustained minor injuries."
Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal the number of arrests now stands at 37.
"The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure is working around the clock to enhance operational capacity at provincial level in response to incidents in which people appear to be undermining the authority of the State, including the flouting of the DMA Regulations,” says Muridili.
"A warning is issued to those circulating inflammatory messages, inciting violence and lawlessness, that they refrain from doing so.
"The possibility of criminal charges being instituted against such persons cannot be ruled out, particularly in the event of injury or death that may come as a result of any operational response by the security forces to these incidents of violence and opportunistic criminality.”
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