At least 71 people between the ages of 18 and 49 were arrested and are set to appear in court for allegedly looting a local liquor store during last week’s taxi protest.
It is alleged the accused barricaded the road with burning tyres before making their way to a store situated on the corner of Hlathi and Solomon drives in Asanda Village.
They were all caught in the act when police pounced. They appeared at the Strand Magistrates’ Court on Monday 14 August.
The matter was postponed to Wednesday 18 October. They were all granted R500 bail.
Lwandle police spokesperson Sgt Mthokozi Gama said the officers were deployed in the Lwandle policing precinct after residents had formed a big gathering and burned tyres on the road. They also barricaded the road with stones.
“The community proceeded to liquor-store premises situated on the corner of Hlathi and Solomon drive in Asanda Village and forcibly gained entry and looted the liquor. Police immediately went to the premises and arrested the suspects inside and outside who were carrying the liquor, and confiscated the liquor.
“Police had to fire rubber bullets into the crowd as they had become violent and were throwing stones at the police vans.” Gama said charges of malicious damage to property would be added to their cases.
Lwandle CPF chair Siyabonga Makawula stated said his group was appalled by the conduct displayed by some residents.
“It is sad to witness this kind of action from members of our community,” he said.
“The officers and other relevant stakeholders are trying hard to fight crime in the area. The perpetrators are people who tried to hijack the taxi strike. We cannot tolerate this kind of thing any longer.”
Makawula praised the police for a stunning job in arresting the suspects.