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EFF members at Sandton City Mall during the national closure of all Clicks outlets.
Gallo Images / Sharon Seretlo
- Five people were arrested following reports of protesters wearing EFF badges targeting a Clicks store in Alberton.
- Protesters vandalized the store and set part of it ablaze on Monday.
- Police are also investigating another case of malicious property damage at Clicks in Bryanston.
Five people have been arrested for malicious damage to property following an attack on a Clicks store in the Lemon Tree shopping center in Alberton, Johannesburg, on Monday.
According to police spokesman Brig. Mathapelo Peters, on Tuesday, staff had been warned of a planned protest and a group of people wearing EFF insignia were going to attack the store.
News24 previously reported The protesters had arrived at the store around 9:15 AM on Monday and were seen to set parts of the store on fire. The incident occurred on day one of the EFF protests against the health and beauty retail store following an ad that displayed black women’s hair as “dry” and “damaged” while white women’s hair as “normal.” .
The EFF denied involvement in acts of violence and intimidation.
READ | Clicked hair ad: senior executive resigns, TRESemmé to be removed from shelves, employees suspended
Peters said reports indicated that employees at the Clicks store in Alberton had locked themselves inside the warehouse after receiving a warning of the protests and the store was a target.
“Upon the latter group arriving at the store and finding the doors locked, the suspects allegedly smashed and smashed the windows and door, forcing entry to the store where they caused further damage, including a fire that was quickly contained. The cause of the fire it has not yet been confirmed, “he added.
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The court date for the suspects, who are between 21 and 40 years old, has yet to be set, Peters said.
He added that police were investigating another case of malicious property damage after a group also broke into a Clicks store in Bryanston, knocking down shelves and destroying property.
Peter said the police were still on high alert.
