By Kaya 959 News
Police Minister Bheki Cele has committed to recovering loot stolen during last week’s unrest.
Parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal were reduced to piles of trash and burning debris following riots and looting in the wake of former State President Jacob Zuma’s arrest.
Cele was in KZN this week where he met with management of the Liberty Mall in Pietermaritzburg as well as the Pavilion and Gateway Malls in Durban
The management provided him with a security plan that the centres have put together in conjunction with the police.
The three retail centres came under attack from looters last week, but members of the SAPS speedily contained the volatile situation and together with private security, continued to guard the shopping complexes to prevent further violence and looting.
While all three malls are currently open only for essential shopping, the retail centres will be fully operational within the coming days as per their respective security plans.
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Police respond to tip-offs
Minister Cele joined security forces in the city’s business district as they responded to tip-offs from community members on the whereabouts of suspected stolen property, looted during last week’s unrest in the province.
Cele said recovering the stolen property will be the order of the day in Gauteng and KZN and all suspected looted goods will be placed at various police evidence storage facilities.
“We are thankful for communities who keep on providing information that can assist police and we also commend people that are voluntarily surrendering the stolen goods and must continue to do so, but those who choose to keep these stolen ware in their homes are being warned that the law will not have mercy on you,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Joint Standing Committee on Defence and the Portfolio Committee on Police will undertake visits to the affected areas.
Chairperson, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, said the visit will ensure operational effectiveness of the police in quelling violence and maintaining calm and respect for the rule of law.



