This is the first time reports of looting have been made outside of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Watch: Vincent Park Mall closed after looting attempt
On Tuesday, eyewitnesses captured footage showing a group of rioters running out of Vincent Park Mall, in East Longon, EC, after their attempts to loot the shopping centre were foiled by law enforcement officials.
Things slowly bottling up in East London, Vincent Park Mall ♂️ pic.twitter.com/4Hqq4bduv4
— Yanga (@Yanga_Co) July 13, 2021
Vincent Park Mall in East London, Eastern Cape, is allegedly being evacuated in anticipation of a possible #looting opportunity by “protestors.” #LootingIsNotProtesting #LootingForZuma pic.twitter.com/UmnyWl4hql
— hlumelo (@h1umelo) July 13, 2021
It remains unclear, at this time, if any of the looters were arrested for their brazen attempts.
When will the shopping mall reopen?
Swisher Post News received confirmation from Vincent Park Mall Centre Manager Joseph Parsley on the plan ahead, following Tuesday’s scary encounter.
According to Parsley, the mall executed its evacuation plan right when looters were seen making their way into the mall.
Fortunately, law enforcement officials were on the scene immediately after distress calls were sent out and as a result, looters had no opportunity to damage infrastructure and make off with stolen goods.
“We were quick on the draw. We activated our evacuation and so there was no damage at this point in time. No infrastructure loss or damage to property,” he said.
Consequent to Tuesday’s looting attempt, Vincent Park Mall will remain closed for the remainder of the day. However, according to the centre manager, operations are expected to return on Wednesday.
“We will commence trade again tomorrow (Wednesday 14 July 2021). So, we have only secured the centre now after the evacuation. We still have authorities and the crime intelligence agencies and SAPS on site to secure the centre as best as we can and, as I said, we will open the doors tomorrow for trade again,” Parsley revealed.”
At the time this article was published, no other incidents of looting related to the shutdown riots had been reported in the Eastern Cape.