NEWCASTLE KZN: Looters leave Madadeni in state of ruin
"...It does not seem there was a single store from Section 1 to Section 4 in Madadeni was left untouched."
Factory owners from Madadeni’s Ithala Industrial Park were successfully evacuated and transported to safety in Newcastle, after their businesses came under attack by violent protesters earlier today.
Member of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Alex Liu confirmed that about 15 vehicles transporting factory owners had safely reached Newcastle just after 6pm this evening. He said that while he was still gathering facts about what transpired at the industrial park, he was aware of two factories attacked and emptied out by looters during the course of the day.
A businesswoman, who took over her husband’s clothing factory after he was killed in a shooting incident eight years ago, reportedly hid on the premises and remained out of sight while looters stormed in this afternoon and emptied the place of all the material, garments and personal valuables they could get their hands on.
“Out of concern for their safety and the fear the violence may escalate tonight, we decided to enlist the help of SAPS to evacuate the factory owners to a safe place for the night,” said Liu. “I must really give thanks to SAPS members who also risked their lives to rescue them. In the process, SAPS vehicles were also stoned and damaged.”
A short while ago, protesters hit Madadeni Brewery and SAPS is said to be battling to get the situation under control.
Earlier today, police officials watched helplessly as looters carried trolleys full of stolen items out of Cashbuild in KwaMathukuza. Looters were even spotted alongside the roads trying to sell shoes they had stolen from Tekkie Town.
According to sources, it does not seem there was a single store from Section 1 to Section 4 in Madadeni which was left untouched. In most of these stores, there is reportedly nothing left.
Amid reports that large crowds are gathered in Arbor Park near the Newcastle Mall, residents have been urged to stay out of harm’s way and where possible, join efforts to safeguard their areas from attack.
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