WORKERS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR JOBS AS BUSINESSES CLOSE SHOP

BY STAFF REPORTER
EMALAHLENI: Business at eMalahleni CBD came to a standstill on Monday as shops remained closed for the entire day in fear of violent protests and looting witnessed in KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng.
Shop owner Ahmed Al-Saayed told Timelessnews that he feared his shop would be looted if he continued operating. “It is better to shutdown than to be sorry because me and other associates learned the previous night there shops were going to be destroyed,” he said.
“All businesses in town are not running today simply because they fear being looted. But the most worrying factor is that we have lost business for the day and unfortunately I won’t be able to pay my staff.”
Martha Mahlangu (55), shop cleaner, said her daily wages were affected. “I lost about R200 which is what I get for cleaning 4 stores 3 times a week,” she said.
“Who will pay me the money I lost today and for days to come if this thing continues?” Martha asked.
Protesters took to the streets in KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng province in the last few days demanding the release of former President Jacob Zuma who was found guilty of contempt of court for failing to comply with an apex court order to appear at the State Capture commission. Zuma was sentenced to a 15-month jail term and began serving his sentence on 8 July.
The executive mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality Linah Malatjie appealed for calm and discouraged the destruction of property. “We note the developments country wide and we can confirm that the city of Emalahleni is equally affected, however we do hope no lives will be lost and the damage to the economic infrastructure as any citizen seeks to express his or her constitutional right to protest,” she said. “We will continue to appeal and pray for calm and restrained in the face of rising emotions.”
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Leonard Hlathi said no arrests have so far been made as they are continuing to monitor the situation. “We are closely monitoring the situation and we want to say that we are ready to bring to book those found to be responsible for the acts violence, looting and destruction of public property,” he said