Following a community protest in De Doorns that saw protesters taking to the near by N1 highway attacking and looting passing vehicles, Western Cape police have been hard at work. The protest led to the closure of the N1 between Touwsriver and De Doorns in the Cape Winelands from Thursday 7 November 2019, after two trucks came under attack and a consignment of goods looted.
Scenes of locals carrying large boxes containing TVs from one truck, an assortment of condiments from another were captured in videos and pictures circulated on social media platforms. Police teams including detectives promptly embarked on door-to-door raids in search of the stolen property.
The police searches continued until Saturday 9 November 2019. Nine suspects between the ages of 21 and 42 were arrested and some stolen property recovered in the raids.
While the stretch of the N1 remains closed, local police including public order police are monitoring the area for flare-ups.
All nine arrested suspects are expected to appear in court in Worcester on charges of theft and one for public violence.
The SAPS in the Western Cape recognizes the right of individuals to protest, however communities are urged to conduct action within the parameters of the law. Failure to abide by the law will have dire consequences.
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