Looters raid Shoprite in Durban

By Lungani Zungu

A group of about 20 people looted Shoprite Usave in Umlazi H section in southwest Durban.

It is alleged that the group, whose members claimed to be from the crime-infested township, looted the store last week during a service delivery protest.

Grocery items ranging from 10kg of rice, and flour, to meat and cleaning detergents, were allegedly robbed.

As in last year’s July unrest, the looting has left the people who worked at the store jobless.

An employee who opted to use her middle name, Portia, for fear of being attacked said she was angry at the people who looted the store.

“It is December now, and I had just started working there in June, and now I’ll have to look for another job. This is painful because it is us as local residents who do this.”

Portia — a mother of two kids, aged four and six — said she did not know when the store would be operational again.

When the store was opened about eight years ago, it brought huge relief to residents of H section, who were spared from travelling long distances to such facilities in town, about 36km away.

It is not known whether money was also stolen as the retailer could not be reached for comment.

Another worker, who declined to be named, said: “My life has been plunged into disarray. I don’t know how I will provide for my family during this festive season.”

A local community leader, Smiso Mkhize, said this was not the first time the store had been looted.

“I think this is the third time now since it was opened about eight years ago.”

Mkhize urged the community to report the people behind the looting if they were known to the public.

“We can’t live with criminals here who are now jeopardising the livelihood of the people who worked at the store,” said Mkhize.

Pictured above: Looted Shoprite store

Image source: Supplied

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