Police have arrested three of the 12 people suspected to be the instigators of nationwide looting and destruction of property which saw businesses losing billions of rand in the past week.
Police Minister Bheki Cele said the names of the suspects could be revealed today after they appear in court.
A senior politician in Joburg is due to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court for allegedly instigating the attacks on malls on the West Rand.
He made the call to his supporters and members of the ANC Youth League and Women’s League apparently on WhatsApp, reports IOL.
He urged them to block all main roads in Main Reef and lodge attacks on trucks delivering goods but apparently said: “Do not attack schools, do not attack healthcare facilities but malls you can do whatever you want. Do not attack any person except for those who are trying to stop you.”
The suspect was arrested and police recovered three cellphones in his possession.
Cele also said police were patrolling highways to ensure the supply of goods continued uninterrupted.
And he warned people to keep receipts for goods in their homes because police were expected to begin recovering goods looted in KwaZulu-Natal.
The police operation had already begun in Gauteng.
“People cannot go out and loot, and expect life to be normal. It also sends a message to aspirant looters to refrain from such activities,” said Cele.
Since the outbreak of the violence in the two provinces, at least 212 people have lost their lives – 180 in KZN and 32 in Gauteng, while over 2 550 people have been arrested.
Damage has been caused to 161 malls and shopping centres, 11 warehouses, eight factories, and 161 liquor outlets and distributors.