Local businesses tally costs of protest action

WHILE local businesses tally the costs of the destruction of property and the negative impact Monday's violent protests has had on productivity and operations, Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO, Dumile Cele has called on Metro Police and SAPS to maintain stability in the lead up to local government elections.

Cele said a number of the chamber's members had suffered in the destructive protest action which erupted in the south and north of the city.

“A major hospital that is also a member of the Durban Chamber was negatively impacted. Many staff, specialists and doctors were unable to arrive on time; this resulted in poor productivity to the extent of patients' breakfast and lunch being delayed. This is a major concern for the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Major distribution centres around the Durban North area were impacted as well, with staff arriving late for work and some not even showing up to work at all which resulted in loss of production as well as low productivity,” she said.

Dumile said the protest further impacted businesses operations as logistics operations and truck deliveries were not able to access the areas close to KwaMashu, Riverhorse Valley and Sea Cow Lake Industrial Parks. Another major concern for business was whether night operations would continue as there was doubt whether the night shift staff would show up for work or not.

“Another major distribution centre was impacted as well. They face the challenge of productivity due to poor attendance at work; this will result in extended working hours to make up for the loss time which will result in increase costs for business. Businesses are urged with immediate effect to look into their risk management strategies in order to minimise the effects of these protests on their operations. The Durban Chamber suggests that companies put in place systems to assist employees get to work via alternate routes as well as logistics and delivery operations to look into alternate routes in and around the KwaMashu area,” she said.

Cele said the Durban Chamber insisted the City’s Metro Police and SAPS maintain calm and stability in these areas leading up to the local government elections.

“Following the S&P credit rating the nation received, it is important for our economic activity to remain unaffected and for all parties to look to ways to improve economic growth by supporting business operations as much as possible. The Durban Chamber will notify business should there be new information it deems necessary to be communicated,” she said.