Watch: Lockdown chaos in Langa as liquor store looted
The daylight robbery of a liquor store in Langa on Sunday has gone viral as police announce the arrest of a 33-year-old male suspect.
South African Police Services (SAPS) Spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said one arrest has been made and other suspects were being tracked down. The looting took place on the afternoon of Sunday 5 April 2020.
Over the weekend there have also been reports of looting in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria.
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Videos have circulated on social media showing an excited crowd of people trying to gain access to a liquor store. A security guard attempts to stop the looters, but many got away with goods from the Shoprite Liquor Shop at the Langa Mall.
Police would not name the suspect but revealed that he was a 33-year-old male residing in Langa.
Watch video of lockdown looting in Langa
“A 33-year-old suspect has been arrested in Langa, Cape Town, after a liquor store attached to a supermarket was looted,” Potelwa said.
“Deployment in the area has since been reinforced as operations continue in search of more suspects responsible for the burglary and looting.
“Detectives have opened a case of burglary at business premises. Anyone with information about the incident that could assist the police investigation is urged to contact the crime stop number 08600 10111 or my SAPS app.” The SAPS spokesperson concluded.
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Reports of looting during the 21-day national lockdown have thus far been a rare occurrence although the SAPS and other authorities have been forced to make thousands of arrests related to lockdown regulation breaches.
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Ryan Cummings, director of the political and security risk management consultancy, Signal Risk, tweeted: “So liquor stores allegedly looted in Atteridgeville and Langa as per reports on social media.
“Government response will be crucial in defining whether these will be once-off events or part of a trend which could seriously threaten law [and] order amid #21daysLockdownSouthAfrica“
The sale of alcohol has been totally barred under the conditions of the 21-day national lockdown aimed at curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. It seems some have taken this blow harder than others and are willing to risk arrest to get a drop of the pure.
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