Mangaung: Free State police have arrested 142 people following incidents of looting, public violence, and damage to property in several areas of Mangaung. The disturbances were reportedly instigated by the circulation of voice recordings and digital posters on social media calling for a "total shutdown."
According to South African Government News Agency, groups targeted businesses and tuckshops across different parts of the city. In response, cases of public violence, business burglary, business robbery, possession of suspected stolen property, and malicious damage to property have been filed. The first incident was reported on Sunday evening in Bloemspruit Phase 6, where a crowd entered a grocery store. Community members assisted the store manager before Public Order Policing (POP) officers arrived.
Later on Sunday, police responded to an incident in the Maditlhabela area of Phase 6, where a group of about 80 people allegedly threw stones at police vehicles. POP members successfully dispersed the crowd. Police also reported attempted break-ins at tuckshops in Pieter Swarts, prompting tuckshop owners to remove stock from their premises.
At approximately 11:45pm on Sunday, POP members arrested 10 suspects found inside a shop with grocery items. Additional arrests occurred on Mahlomola Street in Bochabela, where suspects were reportedly found looting a tuckshop. By early Monday morning, police had dispersed a crowd of about 100 people on Moshoeshoe Street.
Further reports emerged from Bergman Square at about 5:20am on Monday. Police detained suspects in possession of suspected stolen property and others on allegations of business robbery. SAPS confirmed that of the 142 arrested suspects, 109 are male and 33 are female.
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia has instructed police members based at the provincial office to assist operations in Mangaung. The arrested individuals are being processed and are expected to appear in court. Investigations are ongoing, with further arrests anticipated. High-visibility policing continues to be enforced in the affected areas, SAPS stated.