WATCH | Looting during lockdown: 35 arrests as Cape Town is hit with week-long looting

Image: 123RF/ scanrail

South Africa's national lockdown has seen a spike in looting across the provinces, leading to 35 arrests in the Western Cape in the past few days.

“People are desperate. It is hunger that causes the looting of trucks. Things need to be co-ordinated in an orderly manner so we can stop crime," said Social Justice Coalition (SJC) deputy general secretary Mandisa Dyantyi.

However, people on the ground in Delft have pointed fingers at chance-takers and criminals for the looting in their area.

"[Some of these people] just want to gain something and they will sell that stuff for drugs. I believe that. They are not hungry because how many soup kitchens are in this area? How many people give out food here?" said Aisha Domingo, a shop owner in Delft.

We take a look at the looting and ransacking of grocery stores, trucks and churches in Cape Town during the extended Covid-19 lockdown. 


subscribe

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.