Police arrest nine (9) people for Public Violence and possession of stolen property in Diepsloot

27 May 2013

A quick response by police in Diepsloot last night (Sunday 26 May 2013) resulted in the arrest of nine (9) suspects for public violence and the possession of suspected stolen goods. The violence followed an incident in which a Somalian national (39) allegedly shot and killed two Zimbabwean nationals in front of his shop after an argument. He was arrested at the scene and police seized a licensed 9mm pistol with several rounds of ammunition. He is due to appear at the Pretoria Magistrate Court tomorrow on charges of murder and attempted murder.

It is alleged that the community gathered in front of the Somalian's shop after the shooting incident, threw stones and started looting. Police reacted to the scene and dispersed the crowd. Several shops around the area of Extension 6 were then looted. At this stage it cannot be confirmed how many shops were looted. It will be established as the investigation continues. Several shop owners voluntarily removed their goods and they left them locked.

Police monitored the situation since last night and no further incident of breaking into shops and stealing were reported. Today they were several people who gathered at the scene where the shooting occurred but it is believed most of them were onlookers since there was strong media presence. Shop owners around the area of Diepsloot Extension 6 removed their goods from the shops while police were monitoring the situation. Other areas of Diepsloot had been quiet and no incident(s) of violence were reported.

The area where the incident took place is a semi-informal settlement and it is believed that it is populated by both foreign nationals and the local community.

Statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Lungelo Dlamini, Gauteng Media Centre, Corporate Communication, South African Police Service, May 27 2013

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