News24
20 Jul 2021, 23:40 GMT+10
The damage caused by the recent unrest in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal has placed at least 150 000 people's jobs at risk, according to acting Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
During a media briefing on Tuesday, Ntshavheni said damage to factories and retail facilities in Kwazulu-Natal would have a significant impact on the economy.
"This impact will be felt both in KZN and across the rest of the country. Some production facilities have been damaged, though most factories and suppliers' facilities are intact. Work is underway to assess the cost of the damage to property as a result of the unrest," she said.
In KwaZulu-Natal, 161 malls were damaged, along with 11 warehouses, eight factories and 161 liquor outlets.
Approximately 3 000 stores were looted and stock lost amounted to R1.5 billion.
The impact on the GDP was estimated to be R20 billion.
LIVE COVERAGE | #UnrestSA: This is not the time to venture own opinions - Ntshavheni says on discord between Cabinet members
"[The] South African Property Owners' Association has provided estimates to the damage in KZN, to the extent that the business owners, who are its members, have provided to date," she said.
Ntshavheni said members of the SANDF and SAPS are patrolling various other shopping malls to ensure trade was resuming safely.
"We reported, in the past few days, there were number of arrests that were undertaken by the law enforcement agencies for incitement of violence, looting and public violence. We want to reiterate that those who have endangered our democracy have no place to hide. We will ensure that they face the might of the law."
The National Prosecuting Authority reported that about 200 people appeared in various courts around Gauteng this week after being arrested in connection with looting and public violence. Some have been granted bail and some have been remanded in custody.
READ | #UnrestSA: Bheki Cele says he did not receive an intelligence report from Dlodlo, SSA
Ntshavheni said the investigation was still ongoing into the 12 people allegedly at the centre of instigating the unrest.
"Key suspects facing charges of incitement to commit public violence have appeared in various courts and remanded in custody for bail applications. One suspected handed himself over to the police in Durban after a warrant of arrest had been issued against him. He will be appearing in the Randburg Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg tomorrow (Wednesday)."
Ntshavheni also warned the public not to spread fake news.
Get a daily dose of Cincinnati Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cincinnati Sun.
More InformationMADRID, Spain: Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, have died in a car accident in Spain. Spanish...
LONDON, U.K.: An unrelenting heatwave sweeping across Europe has pushed early summer temperatures to historic highs, triggering deadly...
President Donald Trump's plans to build a space-based Golden Dome missile defense shield have drawn immediate criticism from China,...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Paramount has agreed to pay US$16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump over...
LONDON, U.K.: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a vote in Parliament this week to move ahead with changes to the country's welfare...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. President...
FRANKLIN, Tennessee: Hundreds of thousands of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles are being recalled across the United States due to a potential...
REDMOND, Washington: Microsoft is the latest tech giant to announce significant job cuts, as the financial strain of building next-generation...
LONDON UK - U.S. stock markets were closed on Friday for Independence Day. Global Forex Markets Wrap Up Friday with Greeback Comeback...
SANTA CLARA, California: Nvidia came within a whisker of making financial history on July 3, briefly surpassing Apple's all-time market...
SACRAMENTO, California: California's multibillion-dollar farms are facing a growing crisis—not from drought or pests, but from a sudden...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump says the United States could soon reach a trade deal with India. He believes this deal would...