Samsung Electronics has been heavily impacted by the ongoing lawlessness in KwaZulu-Natal, with the company’s distribution centre in Cato Ridge attacked by looters.
Samsung South Africa director Justin Hume confirmed via a text message on Tuesday that the Korean electronics giant’s operations in the province have been targeted.
“Unfortunately, our distribution centre in Cato Ridge was attacked as well as a number of our service centres,” Hume said. “These relate to our consumer electronics ranges — for example, TVs and refrigerators.”
Hume said he’ll provide additional information as soon as he has it to hand.
TechCentral has also learnt that criminal gangs also broke into facilities owned by LG Electronics.
In an e-mail in response to question, LG South Africa confirmed that its Durban-based factory located at Cornubia Industrial Park, in Sundew Road, Durban attacked.
Factory arson
“We can confirm that no workers have been injured due to the factory looting and fire. The current situation is under investigation by our executive team,” LG said.
Deuk Soo Ahn, president of LG South Africa, said: “We take the safety of our workers very seriously and would like to reassure South Africans that we are working as swiftly and with great caution as we investigate the impact of what occurred at our factory in Durban. It’s by no means an easy situation and we are working hard to ensure operations get back back up and running.”
Meanwhile, TechCentral has learnt that the Durban offices and warehouse of JSE-listed IT distribution group Mustek were trashed and set alight on Monday.
Watch: Mustek’s Durban offices burning after looters torched the building
Mustek MD Hein Engelbrecht said no employees were present at its Durban offices when the criminals breached the security at the Redlyn Business Park north of the city — the company had told staff to stay at home given the volatile situation.
“They attacked the office complex at around midday,” he said. “They hurt the security guards badly and broke down the gate.”
The looters then gained access to Mustek’s top-floor sales area, where they proceeded to steal anything they could, but especially TVs, monitors and laptops. They also gained access to Mustek’s warehouse and damaged the company’s fleet of vehicles and stole stock meant for customers. — (c) 2021 NewsCentral Media
