WHAT THE POLICE SAY
On Wednesday 21 October Grahamstown witnessed widespread looting. People doing the looting said they wanted to do this to chase foreigners out of town. They said they believed foreigners were involved in recent murders in Grahamstown. People are still talking like this in the community, in taxis and on social media.
WHAT THE POLICE SAY
On Wednesday 21 October Grahamstown witnessed widespread looting. People doing the looting said they wanted to do this to chase foreigners out of town. They said they believed foreigners were involved in recent murders in Grahamstown. People are still talking like this in the community, in taxis and on social media.
The South African Police Service says:
•There are no serial killers in Grahamstown.
•There are no “body parts” murders happening in Grahamstown
•There has been no genital mutilation on any of the bodies found in Grahamstown.
•No foreign national is a suspect or has been arrested in connection with the bodies found. There is no link between foreign nationals in Grahamstown and the deaths being investigated.
The South African Police Service says:
THE BODIES
•SAPS have found several bodies in Grahamstown and Joza in the past six months. Some of these were female. But some bodies were exposed for such a long time and badly decomposed that it was impossible to tell if they were male or female.
•Most of the bodies have been found since September. Most of them were decomposed.
•There has been no genital mutilation on any of the bodies.
•SAPS have not found a single fridge or receptacle with genitals in it, male or female.
•The police are awaiting laboratory test results to help with ongoing investigations.
THE SPAZA SHOPS
•The spaza shops are still closed
•We have and will continue to arrest looters involved in xenophobic and unlawful attacks on shops.
•Members of the community are now travelling to town to buy airtime, electricity and other basics.
THE SCHOOLS
•No child was forcefully removed, targeted or kidnapped from any school in Grahamstown last week.
•Residents who felt threatened by the looting and intimidation took their children and left town for their own safety. Some of those who left are shop owners.
•SAPS say that children should be allowed to attend school as usual because there is no reason to be concerned for the safety of our children.
SAPS APPEALS TO THE COMMUNITY:
DON’T SPREAD RUMOURS
To make arrests and solve the cases, the police need members of the public to come forward with proper evidence. If you are suspicious about a person or an activity, report it to the police immediately.
Call the police at 046 603 9262 (Capt Gouws) or 046 602 2710 (Sgt Kuhlane) or go to the Joza or Grahamstown police station.
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION
•Talk to your neighbours and friends. Spread the word that stealing from shops is illegal and they will be arrested.
•Don’t use hate speech against people who may appear different from you.
•Help the police keep your area safe by working with them.
•Do not believe the stories and rumours. Rather check with SAPS at Joza or Grahamstown and confirm information in this regard.
Download SAPS English pamphlet HERE
Download SAPS isiXhosa pamphlet HERE
