Fraserburg residents riot over liquor and cigarettes

South African Police Service members have arrested 18 Fraserburg residents after a group gathered in the Karoo town to demand to be sold liquor and cigarettes.

When the mob was denied their request, they reportedly went on a rampage, pelting police with stones.

Fraserburg residents riot 

The Saturday 2 May afternoon gathering was no picnic and SAPS members made efforts to disperse the crowd but were unable to prevent the crowd from damaging both public and private property.

The mob broke into a tuckshop and reportedly stole groceries worth somewhere in the region of R100,000.

In attempting to bring the crowd under control, an SAPS member suffered a broken hand, and a police vehicle’s window was also broken.

The crowd were not able to get their hands on any alcohol or cigarettes in the process, and police would bring 18 members of the community to book.

“Police in Fraserburg have arrested 18 suspects aged between 25 and 61 in connection with cases of malicious damage to property, housebreaking and theft and contravention of the Disaster Management Act regulations,” SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Brigadier Mohale Ramatseba said. 

“It is reported yesterday between 16:00 and 18:00 residents went on the rampage demanding to be sold liquor and cigarettes.

“Police were pelted with stones while attempting to disperse the crowd. A police member’s hand was broken and police bakkie’s windows damaged. The rampaging crowd looted a tuckshop and grocery worth about R100 000 was stolen.”

The suspects have been charged with malicious damage to property, housebreaking and theft and contravention of the Disaster Management Act regulations and will appear in the Fraserburg Magistrates Court in the coming week.

An SAPS investigation into the disturbance is ongoing, and police cannot rule out further suspects being arrested.

Unpopular legislation

Under the government’s prohibition, the illicit trade in cigarettes has boomed, allowing underhanded dealers to make enormous profits as smokers seek to ward off withdrawal symptoms. The restrictions on the sale of alcohol and cigarettes have proved very unpopular with a section of the South African public and the disturbance in Fraserburg is unlikely to be the last.

Cabinet ministers are reportedly united and will not be swayed on the issue of cigarettes, they also claim that those who break lockdown laws to smoke are in the minority. However, a high number of smokers we spoke to have reported that they were left no choice but to buy illegal cigarettes or face an uncomfortable withdrawal.