A food war is brewing on the streets of the Cape Flats after residents of several communities went on the rampage yesterday, rioting and looting shops.
There was chaos in Mitchells Plain, Manenberg, Sherwood Park, Nyanga Junction and Gatesville and Law Enforcement agencies had their hands full containing the mobs.
In Tafelsig Tuesday morning, about 1000 angry people took to the streets to burn tyres and stone police, demanding that the government give them food parcels.
The army, Law Enforcement, police and traffic officers were deployed to Kilimanjaro Drive, Langeberg and AZ Berman Drive, which had to be closed off due to the protesting.
Tafelsig residents and police clash. Video: Phando Jikelo
Police say the trouble began on Monday when the community of Tafelsig East became angry that 150 food parcels were handed out in Tafelsig West.
Tafelsig East Ward Councillor Washiela Harris confirmed that people were rioting for food.
“They are protesting for food parcels, they say they want food parcels,” she says.
“Accusations are that some areas are receiving less than others.
“The majority of Tafelsig (residents) are disgusted by what happened because there are measures in place to make sure there is food distribution, which is a process.”
But, Tafelsig resident Liesl Manuel explained that residents were frustrated because no food parcels have been received since the start of the national lockdown three weeks ago.
“We’ve been given a number where people can phone for a food parcel. It’s a toll-free number,” Liesl says.
“People have done it (called the number), they get a reference number and they get told that within a week’s time the (Western Cape) Department of Social Development will contact you back and do what needs to be done.
“Up until today, three weeks into lockdown, nobody in this area where we are standing now has received one food parcel.”
Tafelsig resident Liesl Manuel says residents were frustrated. Video: Phando Jikelo
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk says three men have been arrested for public violence.
The crowd started throwing stones at the police officers, he said, and the scene was handed over to Public Order Policing who took action to disperse the crowd.
“Three males, 17, 18 and 20 were arrested and face the mentioned charges and will appear in court once charged. Police are monitoring the situation with other agencies,” said Van Wyk.
Soon after this, the mayhem spread to other areas where various shops in Manenberg, Sherwood Park, Nyanga Junction and Gatesville were looted.
Videos of the chaos went viral on social media, showing mostly young men and boys forcing their way into shops like Big D, Vistula Café and others.
Mayhem spread to Manenberg. Video supplied
Cops chased after several men who fled in the direction of Nyanga Junction.
An angry Kader Jacobs of the Manenberg Policing Forum says these same businesses have been feeding the poor, and the looting has put the feeding schemes in jeopardy.
“There are these groups of youth between the ages of 13 and 17, who have a leader who sparks this criminality,” he says.
Cops chased after several men who fled in the direction of Nyanga Junction. Video supplied
In Gatesville, a Shoprite store was looted and a security guard wounded.
A disheartened officer says they can’t fight two battles at the same time.
“It won’t just be about Covid-19, we now have to fight criminal elements robbing the essential places which are providing food for the people who are sticking to the lockdown at home.”
ANGER: Rioters at Shoprite Gatesville
Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz urged residents to obey the law as the country is “facing a humanitarian crisis because of the lockdown”.
“It is a struggle for many to put food on the table. This is a very big concern for us and our government has taken a number of steps to assist as much as we can,” he says.
“However, I must be clear, looting will not be tolerated. We urge all our residents to abide by the law at all times.”
Mobs riot for food stores. Video supplied
Police spokesperson Brigadier Nowela Potelwa says four suspects have been arrested for looting Shoprite in Gatesville.
"A group of about 16 suspects stormed a supermarket in Gatesville at about 2:40pm on Tuesday, threatened cashiers and took five cash registers with cash and groceries. Athlone police responded promptly and four suspects aged between 21 and 24 were arrested and some stolen items recovered.
"Meanwhile in Manenberg large crowds took to the streets and broke into two wholesalers, helping themselves to grocery items. Tracing operations by police to track the suspects and retrieve stolen items are currently underway."
Shoprite in Gatesville looted
Potelwa says three people were arrested in Mitchells Plain.
"Public Order police in Mitchell’s Plain have been dealing with sporadic protests in Tafelsig. Large crowds took to the streets in protest against food parcels distributed to some communities within the broader Mitchells Plain.
"Tyres were burnt, roads barricaded and police pelted with stones. Three suspects aged 16, 18 and 20 were arrested for public violence."
All arrested suspects are expected to appear in court soon.