She said that provincial commissioners had been speaking to community leaders, traditional leaders and the business community “to amplify current operational plans to best tackle the looting and destruction of property now prevalent in KZN and Gauteng”.
Among those arrested were two on-duty reservist constables in Soweto, who were “found in possession of property alleged to have been stolen during the incidents of looting of businesses”.
“It is further alleged that the two suspects were found offloading suspected stolen property from a state vehicle,” said Muridili.
But while police were taking action against looters and rioters, they have also warned communities — who had set up patrols and prevented access to their roads and suburbs — they must not take matters into their own hands.
“In response to reports of armed community members retaliating against protesters, the Natjoints has emphasised and reminded the public that though people are entitled to protect their property and lives, the Right to life is protected in the constitution, and can only be infringed in extremely limited circumstances to protect the life or bodily integrity of the defender,” said Muridili.
TimesLIVE