NEWCASTLE KZN: Mayor condemns looting and destruction of the economy

Newcastle Mayor, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba has strongly condemned acts of looting and the destruction of the local economy.

In a statement released via the Newcastle Municipality’s Communications Unit, he said that in the past few days ‘our conscience, moral sense, humanity and moral fibre has been tested’.

“We have witnessed looting and theft of goods at a colossal scale. Unfortunately, some businesses have had to shut for good and some businesses have had to lay off their staff. I condemn the looting, and I plead for other members of the community to do the same,” said Cllr Mahlaba.

He added that once the dust settled on looting and ransacking shops, we would pay the price dearly and feel adverse effects for a very long time.

“The stealing of goods from businesses will affect workers, the community and our economy. Soon there will be very few shops to buy goods and as a result there will be no jobs for the people. Once a shop has been looted, business owners suffer a financial loss and, in some instances, never recover from the loss. The short-lived act of crime might seem beneficial at the time, but the repercussions will adversely affect all of us in one way or the other. How long will this loot last? Perhaps enough to benefit the looter and his family for a few days but will render hundreds jobless.”

Cllr Mahlaba revealed he was saddened to announce that the smallest necessities, like bread and milk, is already scarce. He added it would take months for businesses to rebuild, while some may not have the money to rebuild.

“We will experience a shortage of basic goods at an unprecedented scale… Members of the community must simply refrain from looting. This will be damaging for all of us in the days to come.”

He also confirmed that more than 40 shops in Newcastle West (Osizweni, Blaawbosch, Theku Plaza, Madadeni and Mdozo) were looted.

Some of these shops, he claimed, were already experiencing shortages of supplies due to the ongoing volatile situation which has gripped our province.

“We are now trying to find a solution to their plight, as some might consider closing their businesses. Our priority is to save the hundreds of jobs which could most likely be lost. Many of their staff are now at home, with little prospect of returning to work. Sadly, regional suppliers have also been affected, including logistics companies.”

He has appealed to residents to think carefully before embarking on a looting spree and asked instead for them to rise to the occasion and think of the long-term effects of our actions.

“This is not the time to be pointing fingers. Let us walk away from this temptation and let us unite for the better good of our town, and most importantly, let us save jobs and our economy. In these tough and unprecedented times, I call upon the citizens of Newcastle to work together to save our beloved town.”

He concluded by calling for calm and restraint and reminding residents that looking ultimately benefits no one.

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