The Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) PDMC can confirm as of 09h30 today there have been no verified incidents of looting reported for any region in the Western Cape. An incident in Vrygrond area in Cape Town last night was a service delivery protest and not a looting incident. No further incidents have been reported.
SAPS and the PDMC are aware of multiple messages going around relating to – amongst others - alleged threats to various malls in the City of Cape Town and elsewhere in the province. This includes messages on official letterheads known as early warnings
PLEASE NOTE these official early warnings are no cause for alarm. These are pre-emptive risk mitigation measures. Crime intelligence compiles daily reports of POSSIBLE RISKS to look out for and these become early warnings. High risk areas have been identified and contingency measures are already in place to address every situation that may come up.
In the case of the Whatsapp circulating listing 7 malls as targets, the threat has been assessed and it is not considered to be a major concern. The JOC believes that there is no major risk at this stage, and no need for malls to close. Should the situation change, this would be communicated immediately.
The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, says social media platforms are creating unnecessary fear and panic.
“Please report any concern to your local police station and try to verify with official sources before distributing any information. All information received by SAPS is followed up and verified.”
Bredell is urging calm and advising the public not to stockpile goods.
“Taking the law into your own hands is strongly discouraged. We urge communities to note the risk in their areas and to avoid confrontations and escalating conflict.”
The fuel situation at the moment in the Western Cape is not a cause for concern and we are urging people not to panic buy fuel. The situation is being managed responsibly at the moment.
Western Cape Minister of Community Safety Albert Fritz: "I would like to extend a special thanks to all our neighbourhood watch and other community members who patrolled and who were active last night to help keep our communities safe. Thank you for stepping up and for taking ownership. Let's continue the work to keep our communities safe."
Members of the public are urged - in the event of any emergency - to contact the emergency services immediately. The easiest number to remember is 112. This is a tollfree number and can be dialled from any cell phone.
Additional regional numbers for reporting emergencies in the Western Cape:
James-Brent Styan
Spokesperson for the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell
Mobile: 084 583 1670
Telephone: 021 483 2820