AFTER the recent unrest, cops went house to house in some areas, looking for looted items.
The move made people who were against the looting happy.
But their smiles quickly turned to anger when they saw videos of police burning the looted food.
Social media users felt cops could have taken the food to orphanages, non-governmental and non-profit organisations.
Dumisani Dlamini said police should have taken back everything else, except the food. He said he understood the looters were wrong, but wasting food seemed spiteful.
“This is very disturbing. Our government doesn’t care about us. Come election time, they will be campaigning for votes in those shacks.”
Spongo Nyanisa asked why the food was not donated to NGOs. “I’m not surprised though. We lack leadership in this country. Are we really sure this is the same government we voted for and branded itself as caring for people? I’m not condoning looting but this shows that government doesn’t care about people,” he said.
Landy Noli said it was vindictive.
“Our people are desperate and hungry, but our police raided their houses to burn the food. Look at the desperation of a grown man trying to salvage something to eat through flames. This is sad.”
Elizabeth Mnguni said: We always see people scraping through dustbins for food. Why burn it? Organisations are supplying food to those who live on the streets. This is really heartless.”
Sizwe Nkuna said the burning of food showed how government was insensitive towards the same people who put them in power.
Nkele Mokoena said she’s been vocal about her hate for looting, but seeing these images disturbed her. “People may think this is a message to looters, hoping they’ll learn but it’s really inhumane.”
Colonel Brenda Muridili said recovered items, which make up stolen property which nobody may be in possession of without a lawful reason, will form part of the exhibits in cases registered for all incidents of theft and looting.
“Items identified by rightful owners are handed back to the owners as per the prescripts of the law. Perishable items that have not been claimed by lawful owners are disposed of by the station.”