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Agence France-Presse

Wielding sticks, guns and metal rods, minibus owners on Wednesday patrolled a ransacked shopping centre in Johannesburg to stop the looting of shops destroyed by mobs, adding further violence to the unrest in South Africa.
Concerned about loss of income from shoppers and staff no longer travelling to the mall, dozens of local commuter minibus operators decided to take matters into their own hands and crack down on looters, undeterred by security forces.
They trudged through the debris littering Chris Hani mall, near the southeastern Johannesburg township of Vosloorus, dragging suspected looters outside for a violent beating.

Screams and gunshots filled the air as the group clamped down on their victims with sticks, clubs and whips.
One man who tried to escape was hit over the head with a glass bottle and dragged back, blood streaming down his neck.
Police and soldiers stood out of sight, near the main entrance to a large car park, where they would later take in captives brought over with their hands tied.
“The malls are being looted, people are not working … so now we are stuck,” said taxi official Abel, who did not wish to give his full name.
In Durban, aerial footage showed hundreds of people looting a large shopping centre and carting off huge boxes of goods.
A woman was seen throwing her baby from the first floor of a building to save her from fire after shops below her flat were set on fire. The child safely landed with a group of people on the street.
Township residents had meanwhile gathered in a nearby cemetery around the body of a teenage boy, allegedly shot by the same group earlier in the day.
South Africa deploys troops to end protests
Taxi associations are notoriously violent in South Africa, where they oversee an informal public transport network served by trademark white minibuses.
Their involvement has raised concern within the government, which has warned against mob justice compounding some of the worst unrest South Africa has seen in years.
“If we have everybody taking up arms we stand a risk of having unruly elements also hijacking the noble efforts of the community,” acting presidency minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni told a news briefing on Wednesday, urging citizens to work with law enforcement agencies.
Looting swiftly followed protests over the jailing of South Africa’s corruption-accused former president Jacob Zuma, who is viewed by many as a defender of the poor.
Unrest has raged for almost a week, with impacts on supply chains and transport links that could lead to fuel and food shortages.

At least 72 people have died and more than 1,200 have been arrested, according to official figures.
While mobs caused the initial damage, many of the looters are now township dwellers struggling to feed their families – hardships made worse by the pandemic.
As police cars and forensic teams drove away, some onlookers tentatively inched back towards the shopping centre.
Taxi owners picked up their weapons and went back inside for another round.


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South Africa

Vigilante bus drivers take on looters in riot-hit South Africa

A few people walk in a street strewn with dirt and filth caused after five days of violence and looting in Durban, South Africa on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Hundreds of people queue to enter a supermarket in fear of food and fuel shortages in Durban on July 14, 2021 as several shops, businesses and infrastructure are damaged in the city, following five nights of continued violence and looting sparked by the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma. - So far, 72 people have died and more than 1,200 people arrested, since former president Jacob Zuma began a 15-month jail term for contempt, sparking protests that swiftly turned violent. The violence, targeting malls and other economic hotspots has seen shops and infrastructure destroyed. (Photo by RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)

A baby is thrown from a burning building in Durban, amid spreading unrest following the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma, South Africa July 13, 2021 in this still image taken from video filmed July 13, 2021 obtained by REUTERS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.

South Africa riots: death toll hits 72 after jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma

A policeman takes aim with his weapon at protest in Soweto, near Johannesburg. Photo: AP

A metro officer dressed in plainclothes, fires a rubber bullets forcing looters to disperse at a shopping centre in Soweto, Johannesburg, Tuesday July 13, 2021. South Africa's rioting continued Tuesday with the death toll rising to 32 as police and the military struggle to quell the violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The violence started in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal last week when Zuma began serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Soldiers patrol at a shopping centre in Soweto, Johannesburg, Tuesday July 13, 2021. South Africa's rioting continued Tuesday with the death toll rising to 32 as police and the military struggle to quell the violence in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The violence started in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal last week when Zuma began serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

TOPSHOT - A suspected looter who was allegedly wounded by rubber bullets shot by Jabulani Mall security personnel lies on the ground in Soweto on the outskirts of Johannesburg on July 13, 2021. - Stores in two South African provinces were ransacked on July 13, 2021 for a fifth consecutive day, hours after South African President deployed troops in a bid to quell unrest that has claimed 45 lives. (Photo by Emmanuel Croset / AFP)

South Africa deploys troops to end protests against Jacob Zuma’s prison sentence

South African police arrest a looter at the Gold Spot Shopping Centre in Vosloorus, southeast of Johannesburg. Photo: AFP

FILE PHOTO: The remains of a burnt car and a sign block the road after stick-wielding protesters marched through the streets, as violence following the jailing of former South African President Jacob Zuma spread to the country's main economic hub in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 11, 2021. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

People throw stones at police as they attempt looting at Letsoho Shopping Centre in Katlehong, east of Johannesburg, South Africa, Monday, July 12, 2021. Police say six people are dead and more than 200 have been arrested amid escalating violence during rioting that broke out following the imprisonment of South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Violence continues in South Africa over jailing of former leader Jacob Zuma

Police officers detain a person during a protest as violence following the jailing of former South African President Jacob Zuma spread to Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

(210708) -- JOHANNESBURG, July 8, 2021 (Xinhua) -- Former South African President Jacob Zuma attends a press conference at his home in Nkandla, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, July 4, 2021. The police said on July 7, 2021 that Jacob Zuma surrendered himself to the police late Wednesday night. (Photo by Yeshiel/Xinhua)

People gather around the wreckage of a burned car in Jeppestown district, Johannesburg, on July 11, 2021. - Several shops are damaged and cars burnt in Jeppestown, Johannesburg, following a night of violence. Police are on the scene trying to control further protests. It is unclear if this is linked to sporadic protests following the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma. (LUCA SOLA/AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

Violence erupts in South Africa over jailing of former president Jacob Zuma

Supporters of Jacob Zuma block a road with burning tyres during a protest in Peacevale, South Africa on Friday. Photo: Reuters

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Africa


Looting followed protests over the jailing of South Africa’s ex-president Jacob Zuma
Armed commuter minibus operators patrol shops, dishing out mob justice to looters



Concerned about loss of income, dozens of commuter minibus operators decided to take matters into their own hands and crack down on looters.


Vigilante bus drivers take on looters in riot-hit South Africa

Looting followed protests over the jailing of South Africa’s ex-president Jacob Zuma Armed commuter minibus operators patrol shops, dishing out mob justice to looters

Looting followed protests over the jailing of South Africa’s ex-president Jacob Zuma

Armed commuter minibus operators patrol shops, dishing out mob justice to looters