We could have acted quicker: Ramaphosa on looting, unrest
President Cyril Ramaphosa has saluted citizens who've been
protecting business premises and other property in their communities from
looters and vandals.
He says they're not just safeguarding property, but our democracy as well.
Ramaphosa visited several areas in Durban today to see first-hand the damage caused during unrest this week.
Ramaphosa first arrived at KwaMashu's Bridge City Mall, flanked by police, members of the SANDF and the presidential protection service.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala and Police Minister Bheki Cele joined him to inspect the shopping centre.
The mall was emptied by looters and vandalised earlier this week.
They also spray-painted former president Jacob Zuma's surname on some of the walls.
READ: Instigators planned, coordinated unrest - Ramaphosa
Community members are now stationed at both entrances leading into the shopping centre. They say they are there to defend what's left of it.
Ramaphosa has commended their efforts.
"They can see that this is an assault on the democratic situation that we have in our country. So they are standing up and we applaud them.
"We have said we could have acted quicker, but they are now joining hands with us."
The president says he's also been briefed about Phoenix, where 20 people died as a result of the violence.
"I am here now encouraging and holding the hands of all our people on the ground and also directing the security forces and getting them to go to those areas that are volatile at the moment."
Ramaphosa says the loss of life and the damage caused has been most unfortunate.
