The ban on alcohol sales is seemingly leading to the looting of liquor stores in the Cape.
Spokesperson Novela Potelwa says from Wednesday evening until Thursday morning, four stores were targeted.
A total of 16 people has been arrested in connection with looting in Paarl, Retreat, Elsies River and Hermanus.
Potelwa says suspects were tracked down and subsequently arrested.
Police issued a stern warning that looters will be dealt with, decisively. Meanwhile, four men were arrested on Thursday night for breaking into a Port Elizabeth liquor
store hours after President Cyril Ramaphosa extended the countrywide lockdown.
Atlas Security reports that it received a panic signal from an on-site security officer at the business in Walmer just after 10 pm.
Spokesperson, Captain Sandra Janse Van Rensburg, says five bottles of liquor, two cell phones, a power bank and car keys, were recovered.
She said the suspects will be charged with housebreaking as well as for contravening Regulation11 (B) (1) (a) (i) read with 11(G) issued into of Section 27(2) of the
Disaster Management Act for not confining themselves to their place of residence.
They are expected to appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 14/04.
