Nine suspects have been arrested following the looting of businesses in Port Elizabeth’s northern areas on Tuesday.
Eastern Cape Police Management has strongly condemned the incidents.
Many of the looting incidents took place simultaneously and the reaction of the police and other law enforcement was swift.
Due to the volatility of the situation, Public Order Police fired tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said the nine arrests were effected in separate incidents since Tuesday morning in connection with the lootings which took place in the Bethesldorp area.
The suspects face charges relating to business robbery or housebreaking and theft.
He said additional charges of violating the Regulations of the Disaster Management Act – not been confined to their residence during lockdown - will also be added.
Brigadier Kinana said the suspects are between the ages of 23 and 50 and will appear in the Port Elizabeth Magistrates’ Court soon.
He added that due to the high visibility of law enforcement in the area, no further lootings took place on Tuesday night or on Wednesday.
Police will maintain high visibility in these areas to curb further incidents of lootings.
