In times of tragedy and violence, always look for the helpers!
Johannesburg, South Africa – A Taxi Marshal is being lauded on social media for holding a young learner’s hand, while guiding him safely away from protests earlier today.
Ntsako Shibambo posted the heartwarming video from the middle of the Jeppestown protests which have been severely getting worse over the last 48 hours.
Provincial spokesperson, Brigadier Mathapelo Peters, said the mayhem came after three people were on Sunday morning confirmed dead after an old building caught fire and the walls subsequently collapsed.
“It is a sad day when people choose to capitalise on the misfortune of others to advance anarchy or criminality. Three people perishing in a burning, a collapsing building can never justify what is now happening in Jeppestown, Malvern and surrounding areas. With such a tragedy, the community should be uniting to assist those affected instead of seeing an opportunity to commit a crime,” said the Provincial Commissioner in the statement.
And some community members – like this anonymous Taxi Marshal – are exactly how people should be uniting to assist.
Even though the situation remains tense in the protesting areas, a flicker of hope in humanity was restored when the taxi marshal was caught on camera sharing kindness with a young learner who must have been petrified at the mayhem on the streets.
Watch the video below:
Amidst the unrest in #JoburgCBD i was touched to see that there are those who still are human at heart! One of the taxi marshals (known as Ntshebe) accompanying a school pupil to haven. While walking, there were a few others who were doing the same!🙏🏽#jeppestown @Abramjee pic.twitter.com/GywfArIv8H
— Ntsako Shibambo (@Ntsanessa) September 2, 2019
Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, has described the violence and looting of shops as blatantly lawless and inhuman. In a statement, the police said 41 people have been arrested following incidents of looting and torching of buildings and vehicles since the early hours of Sunday.
“This includes the initial four who were arrested on Sunday for public violence, while the rest were arrested after they were found in some of the shops busy looting and/or in possession of stolen items and 22 in Malvern. Eight suspects were arrested inside one shop in Vusimuzi informal settlement in Tembisa,” he said.
Mawela has further called upon members of the public to refrain from inciting violence whereby police have noted with concern, threats of violence circulating on social media.
“Those who are hell-bent on turning Gauteng into a crime haven will be found and will face the full might of the law,” the Commissioner warned.
Law enforcement agencies, together with Emergency and Fire Services, are on the ground to ensure that the situation is contained and normality restored.
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