Johannesburg – Thousands of school children have descended on Johannesburg CBD, reportedly wreaking havoc and looting from shops and vendors.
Tara Weber, who works at an art gallery in the CBD, told News24 that a group of learners in school uniforms were looting from vendors in the streets outside their building.

“The gates to the gallery had to be locked. We are not sure what is going on or where they are coming from.”

She said the children were seen running down the street just after lunch time.

Weber said: “We are following the incident via Twitter and I have heard police sirens outside.”

News24 user, Silindile Sibusisiwe Ntumba, said: “These children are hooligans! I have no idea why they are marching and I do not care, but harassing us, snatching our food and threatening to hit us with bricks was just not on!”

Sapa reported that the group was in Albertina Sisulu and Eloff streets around 14:00, and majority were standing in front of the education department building.

Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said there had been reports of the group misbehaving by picking up hawkers’ stands and throwing them on the ground. He advised motorists to avoid the streets and use Marshall Street as an alternative.

Metro officials were monitoring the situation.

“I came across the school kids on Claim Street in Joubert Park, looting an alcohol truck while offloading and running away with multiple cases of alcohol some were even drinking,” said Khongoteri Michael Nkondo.

“A restaurant was almost looted as the pupils sang ‘we are hungry’. We spoke with one pupil he informed me that the police forums around the CBD are harassing them making them to learn in fear,” said Gillen Tshabangu. “They were a lot of school kids around Johannesburg CDB throwing fruits which they loot from vendors. They forced many shops to close for some few minutes because the owners were scared to lose their stuff. I’ve haven’t seen any injuries I only saw an Indian man hit with an orange on the knee. This happened between Commissinor and Delvers streets but we don’t know where they were coming from and the reason why,” wrote Ronald Frank. − Sapa.

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