Staff Reporter
At least 13 shops belonging to foreign nationals were broken into last night in different townships around Mangaung as suspected criminal elements took advantage of the shutdown in the city to loot.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Sam Makhele said in a statement a total of 19 people have been arrested in connection with the disturbances.
“As from yesterday evening the police who were deployed around Mangaung worked around the clock to attend to incidences whereby foreign nationals’ shops were looted,” said Makhele.
“As of this morning, not less than 13 shops were reported to have been looted.
“Since the beginning of shutdown disruptive actions, about 19 people were arrested for public violence and the looting which took place at these shops and more arrests are expected.”
The suspects are expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Among those expected to appear in court tomorrow is a 57-year-old security guard who is said to have shot a 15-year-old boy during violent shutdown protests on Monday.
It is believed a group of protesters had besieged a warehouse on Dr Belcher Road, intending to help themselves to the goods inside when the incident occurred.
Makhele said police are still deployed in the greater Mangaung area and Botshabelo.
“The situation is still tense and police deployments were beefed up to make sure that we bring calmness into the area,” he said.
Makhele appealed to community members to remain calm and refrain from looting shops or any act of public violence, as they will face the full might of the law.
Police are also looking for three men travelling in a silver Isuzu bakkie in connection with a case of hijacking and possible arson.
It is believed the men stopped the complainant, a 41-year-old man, who is also the manager of Mangaung Metro Solid Waste, as he drove to work in his white BMW on MacKenzie Street in Heidedal.
He was instructed to get out of the vehicle at gunpoint before they drove off leaving him behind.
The vehicle was discovered a few minutes later on the same street but it was on fire.