Last month, many parts of KwaZulu-Natal were brought to a standstill, after a spate of sporadic violence. Reports estimated that more than 200 shopping malls were looted in the province, and an estimated R2 billion was lost during the unrest.
Several formal and informal businesses that fell victim to looters and arsonists during the unrest are trying to pick up the pieces. But, for communities who live in affected areas, it’s a battle to get access to grocery stores and essential services.
Pinky Ncanana from Philani in uMlazi, south of Durban, has been unable to get medication for her grandson from the family doctor at the local mall, as her offices were destroyed during the looting. Ncanana says her grandson suffers from a severe cough and tight chest.
“It was really difficult to see the child suffering because we didn’t use any medication what we did is steamed the water and we added Vicks until he got well. We are suffering a lot because we don’t wish to change the doctors and we wish her to come back and work her because we need her. My grandson used the doctor from birth,” says Pinky Ncanana.
Other Philani residents, Zanele Zulu and Nokwanda Houston say they have to spend the little money on transport, and as a result, they are forced to leave out other grocery essentials.
In the video below SABC News looks at how KZN communities are coping:
One of the investors at Philani and Dube Mall, Simon Downes says it will cost a substantial amount of money to rebuild the malls.
“The issues are we are heavily invested. We have bank loans so to rebuild this mall we need to get our SASTRIA pay-outs. The question is whether we will in full or partially and when so to rebuild this mall could be in full it could take anything from six months to a year and a half. But it will cost substantial investments. Is it worth it for us to put in new money without getting our SASTRIA pay-outs that’s the question? So we have to assess whether the mall is worth saving could this happen again?”
KwaZulu-Natal premier, Sihle Zikalala, and Economic Development MEC, Ravi Pillay met with ambassadors and trade delegations from over 40 countries in Gauteng, in an attempt to allay fears of some investors and to restore investor confidence.
While the eThekwini Municipality is working on relief measures to support businesses in their efforts to rebuild. Reporting by Nonhlakanipho Magwaza
VIDEO: Businesses in Durban struggling to get back on their feet after rampant looting and unrest
