Grabouw protesters arrested
Thirteen people were arrested for looting spaza shops during service delivery protests in Grabouw in the Western Cape, police said on Tuesday.
Protesters have also made several attempts to break into the U-Save supermarket on Gaffley Street, said Lt Raldene Atson.
Police have been working with a private security company at U-Save which has become a regular target during riots in Grabouw.
Earlier residents claimed that the popular Moonlight Cafe in Melrose Place had been "totally stripped". The gate and fence in front of that shop had also been stolen.
Some protesters lined the N2 on the barrier next to the Slangpark township. Smoke could be seen rising in the area between Slangpark and Melrose Place.
Atson said the smoke came from tyres being burnt in an effort to barricade the road close to the Pineview Primary School.
Some protesters have also approached the police cordon close to the Orchards Farm Stall on the N2 to see if they can find a way through.
All schools in Grabouw have been closed.
Atson said the town was relatively quiet by mid-morning and traffic was being allowed through the Pineview North turnoff and Ou Kaapse Weg.
An SA National Roads Agency official, Wonder Mpofu, said he was waiting for a truck and digger.
(File photo: Gallo images)