The FF Plus in Gauteng is urgently appealing to the police and the MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, to protect business enterprises against a sharp rise in looting.
The police and defense force can no longer stand idly by and look on while criminals are looting shops that are closed during the lockdown period.
The countrywide social isolation has plunged many people into starvation, which is now turning into sheer desperation. The situation also affords organised crime syndicates an opportunity to benefit from it.
The government must implement all applicable measures to enforce law and order in Gauteng. Their apparent unwillingness to take action is creating a dangerous precedent and incites communities to loot.
The FF Plus is convinced that the looting will increase as there were already many poor and desperate people who had been living below the breadline even before the period of lockdown.
Gauteng is home to a large number of undocumented foreigners who have no access to any form of relief funds and who do not have the opportunity to apply for food aid. This creates a dangerous situation for law-abiding citizens and business owners.
A few examples illustrating that looting and theft are rampant is the sharp increase in cable theft, vandalism and illegal electricity connections. The electricity supplier City Power has arrested and handed more than 25 people over to the police since the lockdown period commenced.
Last week, ten armed robbers targeted Makro in Highveld, Centurion, and overpowered the security guards.
The police force has a responsibility to protect the businesses that are forced to keep their doors closed during the period of lockdown.
Read the original article in Afrikaans by Kobus Hoffman on FF Plus
South Africa Today – South Africa News
