The South African Government says a gradual stability is returning to some of the previously volatile areas in Tshwane as a result of the interventions by law enforcement agencies.
Forty people have been arrested in connection with incidents of looting and public violence in and around the City of Tshwane since Tuesday night.
This brings the total number of arrested suspects to 54.
The suspects were arrested in Atteridgeville, Hercules, Mabopane, Soshanguve and Mamelodi on charges of public violence, theft and possession of stolen property.
“The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster has also noted a worrying phenomenon of false text and social media messages that are causing unnecessary public panic.
“We appeal to members of the public not to pay these mischievous hoax messages any heed. Government will announce whenever there is any messages that warrant public attention through official channels,” said the JCPS Cluster on Thursday.
The cluster said pictures on social media portraying police as part of the looting at some of the shops were “disturbing”.
The law enforcement officers whose pictures have been distributed in social media were actually returning the looted goods to shop owners.
“While stability is gradually returning to some of the previously volatile areas, government has noted that the sporadic violent protests and incidents of looting continue in parts of Tshwane such as Mabopane and Soshanguve.
“Government assures the public that law enforcement agencies are responding and monitoring these development and peace and calm will return to the city.”
The cluster said the attacks and looting of shops show that some of the protest actions are motivated by purely criminality.
It added that there can never be any justification for this kind of lawlessness and it will not be tolerated.
“We urge members of the public to work with law enforcement agencies and report these criminal acts whenever they happen,” said the cluster.
Government reassure members of the public that the law enforcement agencies will not rest until peace and calm is restored in the city.
