Police arrest 12 in Malvern, Jeppestown unrest

This comes after an abandoned building in Jeppestown caught fire and three people died in the blaze while sleeping early on Sunday morning.

Gauteng Police Spokesperson, Mavela Masondo, says the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Masondo says while on the scene, people in the area took advantage of the situation and started looting the shops.

"We managed to arrest for suspects yesterday, and we managed to contain the situation during the day," says Masondo.

He adds l on Sunday evening, the looters moved from Jeppestown to Jule Street in Malvern.

'Several shops where set alight, several cars were set alight. We managed to arrest eight suspects and some of the suspects were found inside the shops still looting."

Masondo adds police visibility have been intensified and they will continue monitoring the area until calm has been restored in the Malvern area.

"As for now, we urge the community to avoid using Jule Street in Malvern even though there is a police presence."

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Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson, Wayne Minaar, says one of their officers was shot in the leg with live ammunition and was hospitalised on Sunday night.