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A bus full of suspects was escorted to the Sandton police station on Monday after the 105 occupants, alleged to be striking workers, were arrested on charges of public violence and malicious damage to property, say Gauteng police.
Spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele said it was expected to take about two days to process and charge the group, suspected to be Dis-Chem employees currently on strike.
Read: Dis-Chem plans for festive season amid warning of 'intensifying' strike
A crowd of people allegedly got off a bus at the Woodmead Retail Park at about 13:15 on Monday and stormed the local Dis-Chem branch, pelting it with stones and rocks, police said.
This resulted in damage worth an estimated R30 000.
Makhubele said police and security responded to the scene and the group returned to the bus which then apparently proceeded to the Chilli Lane Shopping Centre, where they attacked another Dis-Chem branch, damaging trolleys and windows and causing damage estimated at R40 000.
Following that incident police and private security companies swooped on the bus and its passengers who'd returned to the vehicle and escorted it to the Sandton police station where the occupants were taken into custody.
Makhubele said it was expected to take up to 48 hours to charge all of the suspects ahead of their appearance in court.
News24 last month reported that Gauteng police used rubber bullets to disperse about 2 000 workers belonging to the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers who were protesting outside Dis-Chem's offices in Midrand, Johannesburg.
Read more: Police fire rubber bullets to disperse striking Dis-Chem workers
The workers were demanding salary increases and annual bonuses equal to basic salaries.
