Several sectors in South Africa suffered a massive loss following violent and disruptive protest action in parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng.
One sector in particular is the poultry sector which plays an important role in the country’s food security. As reported by News 24, threats have allegedly been made to loot and damage abattoirs, which has forced some involved in the poultry sector to temporarily stop slaughtering.
Izaak Breitenbach, general manager of the SA Poultry Association, indicated to News 24, that about five million birds get slaughtered in South Africa on a daily basis and 30% of these slaughters takes place in KZN.
According to Breitenbach, the biggest problem at hand is that it will be extremely difficult to get poultry products in the market as hundreds of shopping centres and retail outlets were looted.
The transportation of poultry products has also been critically impeded as logistics services and distribution centres are being forced to close.
Meanwhile, as looting continues in most parts of KZN, President Cyril Ramaphosa was in eThekwini on Friday, July 16, to assess the impact of recent public violence and the deployment of security forces.
President @CyrilRamaphosa, accompanied by KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala, Minister Bheki Cele, Minister Ayanda Dlodlo and Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, receives briefing from the @SAPoliceService outside the Bridge City Shopping Centre which was looted and burnt a few days ago. pic.twitter.com/5MY4mn9igz
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) July 16, 2021
Ramaphosa said the government was dealing with a very difficult situation and that he has been in constant contact with authorities, as per SA News.
“Obviously, as a government, we are extremely, extremely concerned about what happened here and we are doing everything to deal with it,” he said.
The president added that intelligence services and the police now have a line of sight regarding what actually happened as they have identified 12 suspects behind the alleged insurrection.
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