JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- The looting of shops is continuing in Gauteng Province and the police have arrested 497 suspects, according to South African police on Friday.
Some people started looting shops on Sunday and have continued to date. The police on Friday said they are on high alert monitoring the situation.
"To this end, 74 persons were arrested in Katlehong on Thursday, bringing to 497 the number of arrests since violence erupted in Johannesburg just under a week ago," said police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters.
She said the situation in Katlehong and other areas in the Province remains calm as the number of incidents continues to decline.
"Police can also confirm that while 11 people were killed during this period, only seven deaths have been directly linked to the incidents of violence as police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding each death," Peters said.
Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela called on the people to respect the law. He warned the people to stop spreading fake news on the social media.
He said, "We must work together as the police and the community to make sure that no one gets to undermine the authority of the State and together, condemn the violence and criminality towards ensuring the safety of everyone in the Province."
