SOMERSET WEST – Romario Davids, the Patriotic Alliance (PA) candidate contesting Ward 83 in the upcoming elections, was arrested by police following an alleged shoplifting incident at a Checkers supermarket.

The 32-year-old Somerset West resident appeared in the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court on Friday 16 October.

The arrest stems from an incident that unfolded last Wednesday morning (14 October) around 10:00, when Davids allegedly attempted to leave the retail store with unpaid items.

Security personnel at the supermarket immediately alerted authorities after detaining the suspect.

Somerset West police spokesperson Warrant Officer Suzan Jantjies confirmed the arrest, stating: “A 32-year-old man from Somerset West is due to appear today [Friday] in the Somerset West Magistrates’ Court for shoplifting. It is alleged that on Wednesday 14 October at about 10:00, the suspect left the shop with items not paid for. Security personnel contacted police and the suspect was arrested. The investigation continues.”

The case was postponed to Tuesday 8 December.

Campaign posters for the PA feature Davids as their official councillor candidate for Ward 83, which includes parts of Strand and Somerset West in the City of Cape Town, urging residents to vote ahead of the upcoming elections.

The PA Mayoral candidate, Cheslyn Daniels, was contacted to comment on the arrest but refused to do so, citing an instruction from PA president Gayton Mckenzie that no media interviews are to granted ahead of the 4 November elections.

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