#UnrestSA: Not even 100 arrests able to deter brazen looters at Gauteng shopping centre

• Mass looting took place at the Mayfield Square Shopping Centre in Daveyton on Tuesday.
• Law enforcement officers managed to arrest more than 100 looters throughout the day.
• Some residents expressed despair at the thought of losing their jobs as a result of the violence and damage.

Brazen looters continued their criminal activity, despite arrests at the Mayfield Square Shopping Centre in Daveyton.

Almost all shops, except for two, were severely looted by residents living close to the mall.

Ekurhuleni Metro Police and SAPS officers on Tuesday had their hands full in chasing and firing rubber bullets at looters throughout the day.

Over 100 people were arrested, with officers later joined by private security personnel to bolster the security detail around the shopping centre.

Some looters broke down walls to gain entry to stores. Their main target by midday was a Pick n Pay supermarket and its liquor store, as well as a Shoprite supermarket.

All clothing stores and furniture shops were cleaned out.

The looters' actions left many workers at the mall worried about job security.

Bongani Mokoena, who works at a motor spares shop, told News24 his job was on the line.

Mokoena said damage and theft at his workplace were estimated at over R250 000. He said his employer told him that his job was not guaranteed.

"My boss phoned me last night that our shop was being looted. He was in tears and said our jobs would be secure only if his insurance paid out for damages and loss of stock," Mokoena said.

Eric Vumase was in tears when he was greeted by empty shelves inside an Ackermans store. He said not even a packet of sweets was salvaged from the looting.

"They have taken everything. They left our store naked," said Vumase.

He was also worried about his employment.

"We are in trouble. Where will [we] find new jobs when every mall is being looted in South Africa?

"Why can't they leave our jobs alone? Their children will have food at night, while ours will go hungry. When is this going to end?"