The SAPS and KZN government have briefed the media and nation on the law enforcement update in relation to the events in Phoenix, following the mass looting and unrest.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) published Minister Bheki Cele’s speaker notes, as he was expected to be providing an update on law enforcement in Phoenix, Durban on Tuesday, 3 August 2021, together with the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) government. Cele stated in his address that during the unrest, Phoenix and surrounding areas became the epicentre of heinous crimes and racist incidents that resulted in brutal killings and injuries, as well as damage to property.
Minister Cele assured the nation that the crimes committed in Phoenix or anywhere else in the country would not go unpunished. Cele also clarified that after the start of the mass looting and unrest in Durban, Phoenix residents set up blockades and community-armed checkpoints to patrol the neighbourhood and access points, which rapidly deteriorated when some members at checkpoints turned to vigilantism and started racially profiling people and denying them entry into the suburb.
Cele described some of the alleged scenes that transpired. Furthermore, he stated that the SAPS is investigating 52 cases of attempted murder, 16 of assault, and confirmed that 22 suspects had been arrested. Cele also confirmed that the SAPS response would be looked into.
See the post below.
#PoliceMinistry Speaker notes for Police Minister Gen Bheki Cele on the occasion of providing update on law enforcement in Phoenix hosted in Durban on the 03 August 2021. MLhttps://t.co/HQRgIoKV37 pic.twitter.com/A4byQaSDi4
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 3, 2021
