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A group of 16 suspects fled with five cash registers, money and groceries when they robbed a supermarket in Gatesville, Athlone, on Tuesday afternoon, Western Cape police confirmed.
Four people have been arrested.
This was one of three incidents reported in an afternoon in Cape Town that resulted in “reinforced deployments” following robberies, looting, and public violence.
Footage from the Shoprite incident, which took place at 2:40 p.m., showed people running from the supermarket carrying baskets and throwing merchandise at cars as they escaped the scene.
Police spokesman Brigadier Novela Potelwa said Athlone police responded and arrested four suspects ages 21-24.
Some of the stolen items were recovered.
In Manenberg, about 5 km away, large crowds took to the streets and split into two wholesalers, “helping each other buy food,” Potelwa said.
“Police tracking operations to track suspects and recover stolen items are currently underway,” he added.
Crisis
The Western Cape Community Security MEC, Albert Fritz, condemned the looting.
“Today, we are facing a humanitarian crisis due to the blockade and the economic challenges that follow will only further exacerbate these challenges,” he said.
“It is a struggle for many to put food on the table.”
The provincial government had taken a series of measures to help as much as possible, Fritz added.
However, I must be clear: looting will not be tolerated. “
Meanwhile, three people were arrested after sporadic protests in Tafelsig that started mid-morning.
“Large crowds took to the streets protesting the distribution of food packages to some communities within the Mitchells Plain. The tires were burned, the roads were barricaded and the police threw stones,” said Potelwa.
She warned the public against engaging in criminal conduct.
“The police will not hesitate to take decisive action against those who break the law. The forces will remain in the identified places until calm is restored.”
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