Ladysmith KZN: Defy denies giving looters any appliances

The majority of Defy’s warehouses and factories at the Ezakheni Industrial Estate were forcefully entered and in the process, severely looted and vandalised.

In the midst of all the destruction currently underway, a story is doing the rounds that Defy has allowed the perpetrators to take the appliances and operating equipment they have unlawfully taken possession of and removed from the warehouses and factories.

Defy wishes to dispel any such rumours and unequivocally states that they have neither permitted the perpetrators of looting to take possession and remove the appliances / operating equipment from the warehouses and factories; nor have they given any of the items to any person as a gift.

Defy is currently pursuing charges of ‘breaking and entering’ and theft against the perpetrators.

Attempts were made to recover the items that were stolen and abandoned outside the premises, but these attempts were forfeited due to limited logistical capacity and security concerns.

 “The unprecedented and extremely disturbing situation is unfortunately escalating, and poses a threat to people’s livelihoods and lives,” says Defy.

“What we are witnessing now are opportunistic acts of criminality, with groups of people instigating chaos merely as a cover for looting, theft and vandalising property. The lives and welfare of employees are of the utmost importance, and Defy values their safety above else,” continues a statement from Defy.

Defy is currently focused on securing the sites it has control over, so that no further looting takes place.

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In the event that the looting subsides, and only when storage is secured and it is safe for employees, will Defy make further attempts to recover the items that were stolen and abandoned outside the premises.

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