UPDATE: Looter arrested, police probe into Durban CBD mob attack continues
Police are working on identifying and arresting those behind the looting and torching of shops in the Durban CBD this morning.
It's understood a group had gathered at King Dinuzulu Park wanting to march to City Hall.
Officers informed them the protest couldn't go ahead as it would be in contravention of COVID-19 regulations under the Disaster Management Act.
KZN police spokesperson, Jay Naicker, says while was happening, another group began looting shops in the city centre. Two stores and a street vendor's stall were also set alight.
JUST IN: Durban Metro Police have confirmed that two shops have been set alight, in the CBD, by an unknown group of people.
— ECR_Newswatch (@ECR_Newswatch) January 25, 2021
Video: Supplied pic.twitter.com/wJYCtOGhiI
"Officers from Durban Central and Metro Police responded and pursued the suspects, one of them were arrested. He attempted to stab the police officers during the arrest but he was quickly subdued without injury to any the arresting officers."
Some stolen items were recovered from the arrested suspects. An operation is still ongoing to identify and arrest the other perpetrators.
READ: WATCH: Group storms Durban CBD, set shops alight
This informal trader says the group threatened shop owners and demanded that those who were foreign nationals close their stores.
"A group of people protesting didn't want foreigners owning shops. It was chaos and everybody was scared. People were just running around."
Police are investigating cases of public violence and attempted murder.
