Durban Clermont Looting: Foreign-Owned Shops Ransacked Overnight After June 30 Protests

Clermont township in Durban was hit by a wave of overnight looting, with several foreign-owned shops targeted in the aftermath of the June 30 demonstrations. The incidents unfolded late on Monday night after crowds reportedly broke into businesses and made off with goods.

Among the affected businesses was the Superseven shop in KwaDabeka, Clermont, which residents say is owned by a Somali national. Witnesses told Eyewitness News that the looting only began after police officers had left the area.

Durban Clermont Looting Leaves Foreign-Owned Shops Devastated

The Durban Clermont looting spread across a number of foreign-owned businesses, leaving stores stripped of stock. According to the Clermont Community Policing Forum, law enforcement officers were unable to contain the crowds as the attacks escalated.

The incidents happened despite the South African Police Service allocating R600 million to strengthen security before and after the 30 June demonstrations. Similar looting patterns were also reported in Mariannridge and Hammarsdale.

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The chairperson of the Clermont Community Policing Forum, Sizwe Goge, said officers struggled to regain control once the looting began.

“The police sometimes they were overcrowded, so to speak. But also in some of these shops there were security companies outside these shops, but also them they were overcrowded by the marchers.”

Durban Clermont Looting Sees Shop Cleared Out

The Durban Clermont looting left the KwaDabeka Superseven store almost empty after looters reportedly took every available food item. They also attempted to force open an ATM inside the premises but were unsuccessful.

Residents have expressed concern over the destruction, saying the attacks will have a lasting impact on the local community and access to essential goods.

The Durban Clermont looting has sparked disappointment among some residents, who believe the attacks have harmed the very community they live in.

Elderly resident Nongcebo Ngcobo said the destruction would affect everyone.

“We are hurt very deeply as the community of Clermont because we are chasing away people who have helped us a lot. We were able to come in the morning and buy food for our children before they go to school; we don’t know where we are going to buy now. What the community has done is very bad!”

Following the unrest, additional police officers and members of the South African National Defence Force have been deployed to Clermont to strengthen security and prevent further incidents.