Businesses left counting the cost after looting and protests

Business owners and their employees were left on the verge of tears after they saw the damage inflicted by protesters on Monday evening.
Throughout the week, the country has seen protests flaring up in KwaZulu-Natal and later Gauteng, with Jacob Zuma supporters demanding his release.
The protests have been marred by incidents of looting, and it is not yet clear if those doing the looting are the same group as those protesting for the former president’s release.
The mood around Springs was tense on Monday, with many businesses in the CBD closing to protect their goods.
From around 19:00 on Monday, reports started coming in about people gathering, cars being stoned and shops being looted.

Also read: Robber flees with very little loot

At the Bakerton traffic lights, cars were stoned and traffic lights damaged.
When the Advertiser visited Bakerton on Tuesday morning, things had calmed down, traffic was flowing but one could see the results of the previous night’s carnage all over the road.
Springs Cash & Carry Liqour was also allegedly looted, but security refused the Advertiser access to the business on Tuesday morning.
The hardest hit were businesses at the Eastvale Shopping Centre and at the Tonk Meter Crossing Shopping Centre.

In Eastvale, the Eastvale CPF with the police faced a crowd, allegedly from the nearby Skoonplaas informal settlement, who targeted the shops at the centre.
A business owner whose shop is based at the Eastvale Shopping Centre told The Advertiser looters started gathering at around 20:00 and broke the main gate to gain entry to the centre.

Also read: Robbers leave behind half of loot during business robbery in New Era

“They looted all the shops in the shed-like structures. They tried to break into the bottle store but they failed and also broke into the ATM, but it didn’t have any money in it.
“The police responded swiftly, but the damage was done. We’ve lost everything,” said the owner, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of being targeted.
An employee who works at the fish and chip shop that sustained the most damage said he has never seen anything like the events of Monday evening.

“They did what they wanted and these are the results. They stole all the electronics, the till, cameras, everything. The money to fix all of this is just too much,” said the employee.
He said he had a feeling something bad would happen and closed the shop early, hoping to save their business, but that did not help.
Builders Warehouse at the Tonk Meter Crossing Shopping Centre was badly damaged. The Springs police, Springs CPF and private security companies struggled to control the massive crowd that had gathered.
Springs CPF chairperson Barend van Heerden said numerous rounds were fired at them as they attempted to gain control of the situation.
By Tuesday morning, access to the centre was limited and businesses took stock of what had happened.
Springs police spokesperson Capt Johannes Ramphora said the town was calm on Tuesday, but they were prepared for any eventualities.
The N17 was also clear for traffic.

However, things changed for the worst around midday when disruptions erupted again in the CBD.

The few businesses that were open closed early for the day. Including our offices.

Follow us on our social media platforms: