Vodacom on Thursday welcomed arrests made in connection with the ransacking and looting of a franchise store in Polokwane in Limpopo at the weekend.

“Vodacom welcomes the arrests made in connection with the theft, destruction of property and assault that took place in a Vodacom store at the Mall of the North in Polokwane on Sunday,” the mobile operator said in a statement.

Reports emerged earlier on Tuesday, quoting the Democratic Alliance premier candidate in the province, Jacques Smalle, saying that arrests had been made.

It’s not known how many suspects have been taken into custody, but Smalle reportedly said more arrests are likely in the next few days.

TechCentral reported on Sunday that three women were assaulted by thugs — apparently supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters — in the attack on the Polokwane franchise store.

The store ransacking happened in apparent protest at criticism levelled against the far leftist party by Corruption Watch chairman Mavuso Msimang at a recent Vodacom-sponsored journalism awards ceremony.

Terse statement

On Tuesday, Vodacom and the EFF issued a terse joint statement in which the operator said it is “politically neutral and it doesn’t influence party political positions in any way”.

In the statement, they both said they “encourage the right of freedom of speech and the free circulation of ideas”.

Following the arrests, Vodacom said on Thursday that it will “continue to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies on this and a number of other criminal cases that have been opened to ensure that the rule of law is upheld”.

“Vodacom reiterates its unequivocal condemnation for resorting to violence as an instrument for resolving conflict. The safety and security of employees and customers remains a primary concern of Vodacom.” — (c) 2018 NewsCentral Media