A video has circulated showing how a team of Durban Metro police officers deployed to contain the shutdown riots that have gripped KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng, were caught allegedly participating in looting.
Watch: Durban Metro police caught looting amid shutdown riots
A metro police minivan with the unique identifier “19194” was filmed as it stood on the side of a road in Durban, with at least three uniformed officials seen loading it with stolen goods.
The officers loaded the goods in boxes and coolers as quickly as they could and right when they were confronted by the very same group of people they were deployed to arrest, the minivan quickly skidded away, much to the shock of observers.
Here is the video clip that’s since gone viral on social media:
Durban Police Take Part In LOOTING
— The Insight Factor (@insightfactor) July 12, 2021
Law enforcement officers ♂️ in Durban are seen taking part in the looting as protesters take to the streets calling for the release of Jacob Zuma #ShutdownSA pic.twitter.com/PyRgytcX8z
Metro police to launch probe against officers
The Durban Metro police department has acknowledged the incident that’s gone viral and according to spokesperson Parbhoo Sewpersad an internal investigation has been launched against the officers who were involved in the incident.
However, Sewpersad added that early indications suggest the officers were merely doing their job and not participating in criminal activity.
“One must also understand that when you arrest a suspect, you will have to gather the evidence or take the evidence with you to the police station to effect the arrest and detain the suspect,” the Metro police said.
Sewpersad added that the Durban Metro police as well as SAPS precinct in Durban have been gathering looted goods “which we will enter into their registers which is called the SAPS 13.”
“All of this information that is being sent to us will be fully investigated,” the spokesperson concluded.