Residents of unrest-hit Phoenix urged not to take law into own hands
The atmosphere in and around Durban is still tense after another night of arson and looting in the city.
Newswatch was at the Phoenix police community service centre on Wednesday morning, where eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has been meeting with residents.
Newswatch is in Phoenix, where eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has been meeting with residents after days of unrest in the community. Kaunda was questioned why the SANDF hasn't been deployed to the area.#ShutdownKZN #SouthAfricaIsBurning #looters #durbanisburning pic.twitter.com/Y3Y5Ye0UVA
— ECR_Newswatch (@ECR_Newswatch) July 14, 2021
This Phoenix resident shares how they had to quell unrest in the community. "We stopped that, we did not want bloodbaths" #ShutdownKZN #SouthAfricaIsBurning #looters #durbanisburning pic.twitter.com/21d8pXSUWf
— ECR_Newswatch (@ECR_Newswatch) July 14, 2021
On the M41 Mount Edgecombe, towards the Phoenix offramp it's understood that looters allegedly stole a truck and crashed into a barrier.
Debris seen on the road was still on fire.
Police officers were working on removing it off the road to get traffic to flow again.
On our way to Phoenix, north of #Durban this morning. @ECR_Newswatch police haven’t confirmed what exactly happened but sources say this truck was stolen and filled with loot. pic.twitter.com/u1MCLS0y0W
— Nushera Soodyal (@nushera) July 14, 2021
Along the road, two cars that were on fire were being looted and stripped.
The community told Newswatch about how horrific these last few nights have been and a feeling of helplessness and not being able to protect their families.
Meanwhile, eThekwini's law enforcement authority has made an appeal to residents who've placed themselves at the forefront of crime-fighting efforts in their streets and suburbs.
Durban's metro police deputy commissioner Sibonelo Mchunu has asked people not to take the law into their own hands.
Distressing images and videos have been doing the rounds on social media and WhatsApp showing what appears to be violent attacks against looters.
He says this will not be tolerated.
"We appeal to communities not to become vigilantes in this situation. Try to work with law enforcement agencies."
