Western Cape Disaster Centre Provincial Update - 10h00

The Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre (PDMC) PDMC can confirm as of 10h00 on 16 July, there have been no verified incidents of looting reported for any region in the Western Cape. There have been some taxi violence related incidents reported yesterday and a service delivery incident in the Cape Winelands reported overnight. A blaze that broke out in a warehouse building in Strand due to a technical fault, was extinguished without incident. Beyond those, no further incidents have been reported.

The province remains on alert.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, reminds the public to report any concerns or fears relating to possible unrest and looting events to the nearest police station.

“All information received by SAPS is followed up and verified. We also want to urge people to remain calm and to note there is no need to stockpile food or fuel at this point. The situation across the province is being managed responsibly.”

Bredell says the authorities across the province will remain on 24-hour standby and high alert across the province this weekend, in the event of any efforts of destabilization that may occur.

“Along with our partners, including the South African Police Services, we are ready to respond and support our communities.”

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:

• City of Cape Town - 107 or 021 480 7700 and 080 911 4357
• Overberg - 028 425 1690
• West Coast - 022 433 8700
• Garden Route - 044 805 5071
• Central Karoo – 023 449 8000
• Cape Winelands – 021 886 9244 / 021 887 4446