WRAP | King Misuzulu to address SA on Wednesday amid violent protests

July 13 2021 - 22:10

More than 100 network towers hit in violent protests: Icasa

The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) has condemned the looting and burning of buildings in parts of the country.

The authority said it had received reports of vandalism of communications infrastructure, including 113 network towers. The attacks have resulted in the disruption of communication services, closure of some community radio stations and vandalism of network facilities.

“We call on the communities to assist in guarding and protecting this critical infrastructure, and to exercise the highest levels of patriotism in this regard. Any disruption of communication services could prove disastrous and result in increased mortality as emergency calls may be directly affected,” said Icasa chairperson Keabetswe Modimoeng.

July 13 2021 - 21:57

Death toll from violent riots climbs past 70, with more than 1,200 arrests

At least 72 people have died in riots and civil unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, say police, while confirming that the violence has spread to two other provinces.

Col Brenda Muridili, speaking on behalf of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints), said that 14 murder cases were being investigated in KZN and 19 in Gauteng. There were 13 inquest dockets opened in KZN and 26 in Gauteng linked to fatalities.

“The greater part of the inquest dockets relate to stampedes that occurred during incidents of looting of shops and malls, while other deaths and injuries were related to ATM explosions and shootings,” said Muridili.

July 13 2021 - 20:22

Fuel refinery confirms shutdown amid ongoing violence in KZN and Gauteng

SA's largest crude-oil refinery, Sapref, has shut down operations amid the ongoing violence in KwaZulu-Natal.

The refinery, in the South Durban Basin, sent out an alert on Tuesday citing force majeure linked to the violence, which started in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday and has since expanded into Gauteng.

At least 45 people have been confirmed dead — 19 in Gauteng and 26 in KZN — in the violence, though authorities were expecting the death toll to climb.

July 13 2021 - 19:31

Zulu King to address SA as looting continues to rock KZN and Gauteng

Zulu King MisuZulu kaZwelithini is scheduled to address the nation on Wednesday afternoon as violence continued to hit KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. His address, from Ulundi in northern KZN, is set for 2pm.

July 13 2021 - 18:51

'I did not step into Woolworths': Mercedes-driving 'looter' speaks out

“I picked up things that were outside, not inside. I did not step inside Woolworths.”

A 26-year-old caught on video picking up a shopping basket and putting it inside his car on Monday in KZN said the whole thing has been taken out of context.

He insisted in an interview with TimesLIVE that he was not looting.

July 13 2021 - 18:49

More than 100 people arrested in Tshwane after a night of looting

More than 100 people were arrested in Tshwane after sporadic incidents of violence on Tuesday.

Mayor Randall Williams said the arrests followed looting incidents at malls in Mamelodi. He said that the situation had been calm in the city after incidents during the night.

July 13 2021 - 17:47

IN PICS | Police and soldiers step in as looting continues in Gauteng and KZN

Widespread looting continued in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday as police, soldiers and private security members tried to restore calm to the affected areas.

July 13 2021 - 17:27

JMPD recover safe with cash stolen during looting in Dobsonville, Soweto

A Johannesburg metro police department (JMPD) “drill squad” has recovered an undisclosed amount of cash that was stolen in a safe at a Dobsonville, Soweto petrol station.

“Upon arrival at the corners of Sekobotsane and Njikelana streets in Dobsonville, officers spotted 15 suspects attempting to load the safe into a Toyota Hilux bakkie,” the JMPD said.

According to metro police, when the suspects noticed the officers, they abandoned the safe and vehicle and fled the scene.

July 13 2021 - 17:23

Covid-19 vaccines spared but looters steal HIV, TB and diabetes medication

While scores of medicines have been stolen during the looting of numerous pharmacies and medical centres in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, no Covid-19 vaccines were lost to looters.

Health department spokesperson Popo Maja told TimesLIVE that Covid-19 vaccines were not affected because they were stored in their own facilities and delivered to vaccination sites accordingly.

The department has, however, been forced to halt Covid-19 vaccinations at some medical facilities that were targeted by looters or those close to looting hotspots.

July 13 2021 - 16:32

Two community radio stations fall silent as looters steal equipment

Two community-run radio stations have gone off air after looters robbed them of broadcast equipment on Monday night.

Criminals broke into the Alex FM offices at 2am and stole R5m worth of broadcasting equipment, said station manager Takalani Nemangowe.

Mams Radio in Mamelodi, Tshwane, was also hit during the night, becoming “one of the vandalised and looted properties in the area”, said station operations manager Sipho Mpho Motau.

July 13 2021 - 16:05

NPA will ‘meticulously prosecute’ cases linked to looting and violence

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) have condemned violent incidents in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

“The national director of public prosecutions, advocate Shamila Batohi, has condemned the acts of violence and incitement to commit public violence that have been ravaging the country,” said NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga.

He said the NPA would use experienced prosecutors to collaboratively work with law enforcement to prioritise cases related to the civil unrest.

July 13 2021 - 15:35

Bheki Cele warns looters: You're under surveillance and cops will pounce

IN FULL: Speaking notes for police minister Bheki Cele during Tuesday’s justice cluster briefing

July 13 2021 - 15:06

John Steenhuisen wants Julius Malema, Duduzile and Duduzane Zuma charged for inciting violence

The opposition DA says it will lay a complaint of incitement of violence against EFF leader Julius Malema and former president Jacob Zuma's children, Duduzane and Duduzile.

This follows social media commentary by Duduzile and Malema about the violent protests and looting that started in KwaZulu-Natal and spread to Gauteng.

The protests began as a call to release Zuma, arrested last week for contempt of court after he failed to appear as the Zondo commission in defiance of a Constitutional Court order instructing him to do so.

July 13 2021 - 14:16

Looted KZN warehouse no longer used by Gift of the Givers: Sooliman

A Gift of the Givers warehouse was not looted in violent protests on Monday.

The humanitarian aid group thanked South Africans for their concern after photographs showed a looted warehouse with Gift of the Givers signage. However, it stated that it no longer uses the premises.

July 13 2021 - 14:10

Covid-19 vaccinations halted in KZN, pharmacy inoculation sites looted

Covid-19 vaccinations were halted in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday following several days of looting and mass destruction of property, the health department said.

Popo Maja, the department’s head of communications and stakeholder management, said: “Vaccinations have been halted, not by instruction from the national health department but by the provincial government, following the security assessment on the ground.

“Health services have also been severely disrupted.”

July 13 2021 - 14:01

Ten killed in stampede in Soweto as violent protests and looting continue: Makhura

Gauteng premier David Makhura is calling for peace and calm following a deadly stampede which claimed the lives of 10 people at the Ndofaya Mall in Soweto. 

The provincial death toll as a result of violent protests and looting of businesses has risen to 19, he said.

Makhura rushed to Meadowlands in Soweto following a public outcry and calls for help to contain the situation.  

July 13 2021 - 13:44

WATCH | Dealership hit as looters help themselves to batteries and tyres

Solar panels, batteries, sound systems, tyres, fridges, TVs, power tools and the list goes on.

These are some of the high-end valuables that looters in Springfield Park, Durban, carried away from dozens of stores including Makro, car dealers and electronic shops on Tuesday, without any police or army vehicle in sight to stop them.

TimesLIVE witnessed looters ripping off solar panels in the parkade of Marko — in about an hour every single solar panel had been removed.

July 13 2021 - 13:26

KZN paramedics unable to reach critically ill patient after ambulance is stoned

Private ambulance service paramedics were left traumatised after their vehicle came under attack while they were rushing to attend to a medical emergency in Verulam, north of Durban, on Monday.

Gareth Naidoo, spokesperson for KZN VIP Medical, told TimesLIVE the critically ill patient was not attended to because of the attack.

“The paramedics were en route to the Verulam area to attend to a critically ill patient. While travelling on the R102 they were stoned from dense bush."

July 13 2021 - 13:25

WATCH | Protesters bring Queen Nandi Drive to a standstill to loot Massmart

Footage emerging from Durban’s industrial hub, Queen Nandi Drive, showed hundreds of protesters and looters converging on the Massmart warehouse.

Looting started in the area on Monday night when protesters arrived in vehicles to blockade the area. 

By Tuesday morning, more vehicles arrived to ferry big appliances including TV sets, fridges and washing machines.

July 13 2021 - 13:13

Looting and violence could have been worse: intelligence, police ministers

The looting and public violence that has gripped Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in the past few days could have been worse had it not been for State Security Agency and police intervention.

That's according to state security minister Ayanda Dlodlo and her police counterpart Bheki Cele, who on Tuesday said it was incorrect to say they had failed to do their job.

July 13 2021 - 13:00

WATCH | LOL! Looter has his cake and eats it plus 13 other funny moments from looting

A video of a man eating cake during an alleged looting spree has gone viral.

During ongoing riots in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, an unidentified man filmed himself eating cake at what looked like a supermarket.

On social media, users shared videos of other alleged incidents that took place during the protests and looting. 

July 13 2021 - 12:15

KZN residents hunt for bread, milk, fuel and baby formula

As soon as day broke on Tuesday, KwaZulu-Natal residents began searching for shops that were open to buy basic supplies. 

Many took to social media to ask where to find milk, bread and, in most cases, milk formula for babies.

Looting and violence continued as residents queued at shops that were opened for a limited time. These queues were longer than one kilometre.

July 13 2021 - 12:09

Premier asks army to be on alert in case unrest spreads to Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane has requested that the military be on alert to assist the police should ongoing riots spread to the province. 

On Tuesday, Mabuyane said he had sent the request to national government in case the need for law enforcement intervention arises. 

“I have asked national government to put soldiers who are based in our province on high alert for deployment to support our police officers if the need arises,” Mabuyane said. 

July 13 2021 - 12:00

WATCH | Army hits ground running in Soweto

In a bid to bring the riots and looting in Gauteng under control, soldiers were deployed in Soweto on Tuesday morning.

The soldiers were seen patrolling Bara taxi rank, Diepkloof Mall and various parts of Soweto.

July 13 2021 - 11:26

Army deployed as mass looting sweeps Gauteng, KZN

July 13 2021 - 11:12

WATCH | Small army presence in central Durban

July 13 2021 - 11:07

Son recovers from Covid-19 only to be shot dead during protests while walking along road

“He was the most humble and gentle child in this world. That’s the sad part. To go out like that, to get shot, just like that. Everything is gone. Everything.”

Basil Govender, 62, said his son Trevor, 35, and his brother decided on Monday to go for a walk near their home in Phoenix, Durban. Trevor had recently recovered from Covid-19 and, as a health fanatic, was keen to get back into shape.

However, what was meant to be the start of his journey back to health and fitness ended in tragedy when the brothers apparently got caught up in the violence that has ripped through SA this week.

July 13 2021 - 10:41

Zikalala praises Zuma, says call for his release must be heard — 'but it cannot justify violence'

KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala said the call for the release of former president Jacob Zuma from prison was understandable but not a justification for looting and violence.

In his update on the violent protests, widespread looting and vandalism that has swept through the province, Zikalala said it would be “good to see the former president released” but the call had to be done peacefully.

July 13 2021 - 10:30

Mzwanele Manyi slammed for ‘SA is in free fall’ claim

Jacob Zuma’s spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi tweeted himself into hot water on Monday by saying SA was in “free fall” and that masses were ruling themselves during violent protests in parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

Manyi was critical of the decision by the cabinet to deploy the military in affected areas to quell the violence, destruction of infrastructure and looting of businesses. 

He said the protesters were unarmed though shopping centres were broken into and infrastructure and malls were torched during the demonstrations.

July 13 2021 - 10:27

This is not like the apartheid era, protest is not the only weapon: Archbishop Makgoba

Anglican archbishop Thabo Makgoba is concerned about the division between the “haves” and the “have-nots”, but cautions that looting is not an acceptable form of protest.

“The economic ordering of society and the question of how we develop our material resources is directly relevant to the violence we have seen in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga in the past few days,” he said on Tuesday.

July 13 2021 - 10:16

Shot EMPD officer dies as looting and mass arrests continue in Vosloorus

Hours after President Cyril Ramaphosa promised to unleash the full might of the state on  looters and protesters, chaotic scenes continued in Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni early on Tuesday.

Ekurhuleni metro police department (EMPD) spokesperson Kelebogile Thepa confirmed that an officer who was shot during the violence on Monday had died.

Thepa said officers were responding to mass looting at Sam Ntuli Mall in Katlehong on Monday evening when the mob fired live rounds at them.

July 13 2021 - 10:01

Gauteng vaccination sites halt operations as unrest and violence ravage the province: department

Vaccination sites around Gauteng were forced to halt operations as unrest and violent protests spread across the province.

This is according to the provincial health department, which announced the disruption of services on Monday.

The department said it was inundated with calls from residents who require ambulances from different parts of the province, but road blockades and attacks on paramedics made it impossible for the service to respond. 

July 13 2021 - 09:45

Blood bank looted in Durban mall, valuable material taken

A blood bank at a Durban mall was looted on Monday evening with looters making off with valuable equipment as President Cyril Ramaphosa was addressing the nation on the unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.

“While we were watching President Ramaphosa addressing the nation on TV, we saw people coming to our donor centre in Queensmead Mall in Durban.

“They broke in and took some valuables,” regional marketing manager at the SA National Blood Service Simphiwe Cele said.

July 13 2021 - 09:34

'What a disappointment': 7 reactions to Ramaphosa’s address on looting and unrest

Many on social media have dubbed President Cyril Ramaphosa's address on Monday night a miss, saying he did not show strong leadership qualities. 

Ramaphosa delivered his second address in two days, in the wake of ongoing looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. 

In his address, Ramaphosa pledged to restore calm across the country and authorised the deployment of the SA Defence Force (SANDF) to help the SA Police Service.

July 13 2021 - 07:19

State-owned insurer Sasria says claims linked to civil unrest will be paid

Businesses and homeowners who have Sasria cover will have their legitimate claims met, and in the case of smaller claims, they will be paid out within a week. 

That was the undertaking from Sasria (the SA Special Risks Insurance Association) MD Cedric Masondo on Monday.

The state-owned entity provides cover for loss or damage to insured property as a direct result of civil unrest, including rioting, strike action and public disorder — and it’s the only SA insurer that does so.

Sasria does not do direct business with the public, but is included in most commercial and consumer insurance policies.

July 13 2021 - 07:10

WATCH | 'He's only trying to make a living'- Lucky Lekgwathi’s restaurant looted & destroyed

Social media users have responded with shock and anger at the looting of former Orlando Pirates star Lucky Lekgwathi’s restaurant this week. 

The star opened up Grootman by Lucky Lekgwathi in Kliptown, Soweto, earlier this year, after hanging up his boots in 2016.

July 13 2021 - 06:00

'The situation became chaotic': Hillbrow doctor's day of stab wounds and rubber bullets

Sunday started off as a normal day for Suhayl Essa. The emergency room doctor started his shift at the Hillbrow community health centre at 8am. 

“There were a few patients who had a few fights the night before — I don't know where they got the alcohol from — and we had one or two suspected Covid patients,” he said.

By midday, however, patients began streaming into the clinic, which operates as a first-line centre for trauma cases. The patients are either stitched-up there or transferred to other hospitals if they needed to be admitted.

“We were seeing stuff on social media and there were mobs running in every direction around the clinic,” he said. “Then we started hearing gunshots. Patients started piling in one after the other.”