The Gauteng provincial government says it will provide warehousing for some of the KwaZulu-Natal businesses affected by the recent unrest.
Many businesses including shopping malls were looted and damaged during the violent protests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
Gauteng Economic Development MEC Parks Tau says 70 -percent of consumable goods that are moved from KwaZulu-Natal is destined for Gauteng to be consumed and also re-distributed within the SADC region.
He says when this supply chain is disrupted, as it was the case during the unrest, it has a significant impact on the economy and the amount of goods exported into neighbouring SADC countries.
Tau was briefing the media in Johannesburg on some of the measures the Gauteng provincial government is putting in place to help businesses and communities that were affected by the recent violent protests.
“The Economic Development Department is to assemble a list of available warehouses so that we are able to create access to warehousing and other logistic support to enterprises that have been displaced in KZN. Some of whom are looking for supplementary facilities, some temporary facilities and we are working with our colleagues at national government and the province of KZN in this regard.”
Gauteng Premier’s briefing on recent looting an economic impact:
Gauteng Premier David Makhura says preliminary estimates show that the damage caused by the recent unrest to the province’s economy amounts to three and a half billion rand.
He says the figures relate to the damage caused to businesses and the stock that has been looted.
Makhura says the figures do not include uninsured township businesses.
The Premier was giving an update on the provincial government’s economic reconstruction and recovery plans in response to the unrest.
Makhura is expected to outline measures the provincial government will be taking to help businesses and communities affected by the violent protests.
He says 14 500 jobs have been affected, with 30 malls also affected by the looting.
