“So far this morning, a total of 3,407 suspects have been arrested on various charges since the start of the violence, one suspect has been released on bail, and 1,122 are expected to appear in various courts in the two provinces most affected, with the remaining cases in the investigation phase,” NatJOINTS said in a statement.
The structure also stated that “the tension seems to have eased” in the country and that the security forces are carrying out operations to recover stolen goods in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, the two provinces affected by the acts of violence.
During the weekend’s operations, 14 people suspected of possessing assets looted during the riots, such as televisions, computers, furniture, and clothing, were arrested in Gauteng province and 92 others in KwaZulu-Natal province.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa today thanked the millions of people who refused to participate in the destruction of “lives, livelihoods, and property” in the riots that raged about a week ago.
“We cannot say that similar attacks will not be attempted in the future, nor that those who seek to divide us will cease their efforts”, stressed Cyril Ramaphosa, during the celebrations of the International Nelson Mandela Day, celebrated each year on July 18, the former’s birth date.
The first incidents, with burning tires and blocking roads, took place last week, the day after former President Jacob Zuma was arrested for disrespecting the Constitutional Court.
Warehouses, factories, and shopping centers have been looted and violence has spread to the country’s largest city, Johannesburg, amid rampant unemployment and new restrictions against covid-19.
Violence and looting also erupted in the Regents Park area, south of Johannesburg.
The incidents took place at dawn on Saturday, on Victoria Street.