Zululand Observer - Weekender

City calm after vigilante chaos

- Conelia Harry

CALM has been restored in Richards Bay CBD after violence erupted in the city centre last week.

The unrest resulted in two known fatalities, businesses being torched and stoned, and multiple reports of malicious damage to properties.

Richards Bay SAPS Communicat­ions Officer Captain Debbie Ferreira confirmed that one person is still in a critical state in hospital after being attacked by an angry mob.

The violence is believed to have been sparked by the death of a community member who was attacked, robbed and stabbed near Taxi City last Wednesday evening.

Groups of people took to the city streets to voice their anger over drug users known as ‘paras’, who attack and rob pedestrian­s and shoppers.

Police continue to patrol and monitor the area but have not yet made any arrests after opening multiple cases including public violence, double murder, attempted murder, robbery common and malicious damage to property.

 ??  ?? High police visibility in the Richards Bay CDB when violence broke out last week
High police visibility in the Richards Bay CDB when violence broke out last week

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