Fin24 reports that as Makro and Game owner Massmart moves to prioritise protecting the jobs of its employees affected by the looting and violence that recently spread through parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, it says plans are also underway to restock its stores.

The retailer reported last week that looters gained access to and made off with merchandise in 18 Cambridge stores, ten Game stores, eight Builders stores, three Cash & Carry and two Makro stores. Two of its distribution centres were been directly impacted and altogether four facilities suffered significant damage due to arson. CEO Mitchell Slape said in a video message to Massmart employees at the end of last week that the company’s immediately priority was their safety and well-being. “We have confirmed that we are focused on protecting jobs of affected colleagues. [We are] taking action to support our KwaZulu-Natal associates in these trying times by putting together parcels for them,” he indicated. Those parcels were expected to arrive in the province soon. He said they were aiming to re-open KwaZulu-Natal stores “when it is safe to do so”. Slape also said Massmart was making large donations of basic food items, commodities, and baby formula to Gift of the Givers and Food Forward for distribution in affected communities.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ahmed Areff at Fin24

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