FREE STATE SAPS ADDRESSES DISTRICT LOOTING INCIDENTS AND SECURES 3116 ARRESTS IN HIGH-DENSITY OPERATION
While the city of Bloemfontein experienced a day of peaceful marches, several other districts across the Free State province unfortunately suffered incidents of public violence, looting, and property damage. Free State Provincial #SAPS units responded swiftly to these flare-ups, restoring order and making multiple arrests.
In Odendaalsrus, businesses were targeted by looters, resulting in the immediate arrest of three suspects. Meanwhile, in Thabong (Sunrise View area), seven shops were looted and two SAPS operational vehicles were damaged. No arrests have been made yet in the Thabong area, but investigations are ongoing.
In Vredefort, a large-scale disturbance led to the looting of 20 shops and damage to one police vehicle. Officers arrested four suspects for public violence and one suspect for Malicious Damage to Property (MDTP) specifically linked to the vehicle damage. In Tumahole, nine shops were looted and four house robberies occurred at properties rented by foreign nationals.
Five shops were targeted by looters in Petrus Steyn, but prompt police intervention led to the arrest of 10 suspects. In total, 19 suspects were arrested during the sporadic looting, and police confiscated several looted items, drugs, and a firearm.
Parallel to managing these public disturbances, the Free State Police embarked on a massive, three-day multidisciplinary operation involving all specialized policing units and external stakeholders. The operation focused heavily on serious crimes and illegal immigration, yielding significant results.
During the tracing operations conducted by detectives and other policing units, 2,153 arrests were made. Arrests related to contact crimes totaled 223, while crimes dependent on police action accounted for 146 arrests. Additionally, 581 undocumented foreign nationals were detained. Drug-related arrests totaled 382, while two firearms were recovered and two foreign nationals were arrested.
Free State police monitored seven marches across the province, as well as two groupings that were peacefully dispersed. Approximately 505 premises, including businesses and tuckshops, were visited during the four-day operation.
Working closely with external stakeholders, the Firearms, Liquor, and Second-Hand Goods unit issued 582 compliance fines for liquor-related offenses. Additionally, three suspects were fined for non-compliance, four were arrested for dealing in liquor illegally, and four fines were issued for violations of the Second-Hand Goods Act.
The Free State SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thabang Lesia, commended the continuous dedication of the multidisciplinary teams who worked around the clock to maintain law and order during the planned national shutdown on 30 June 2026 and beyond. The General warned that, "lawlessness, looting, and attacks on state property will be met with the full force of the law".
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