CRIME SCENE: Malmesbury, Swartland: A March and March protest turned ugly on Thursday morning, 25 June 2026 when several spaza shops were looted in Ilingelethu and two people arrested.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), about 350 people from Ilingelethu in Malmesbury participated in the march against undocumented foreign nationals in the area. Memorandums were handed over to SAPS, the Department of Home Affairs, Traffic Services, and Law Enforcement.

“During the gathering, a group of young people from Ilingelethu and Saamstaan allegedly became disruptive and proceeded to break open several spaza shops, resulting in incidents of looting.

“SAPS, together with law enforcement officers and other authorities, swiftly intervened and are continuing to monitor the situation to prevent further incidents and maintain public order.

“Two suspects, aged 19 and 37-years, have been arrested for housebreaking and theft,” said the police.