DA formally invites Minister Patel to asses Durban destruction

20 July 2021

I have today formally written to Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Ebrahim Patel to visit and assess the damage done in Durban after last week’s looting.

I have been in touch with the Minister since last Friday, trying to get him to come onto the ground and see for himself. Sadly, I have received no concrete commitment to do so.

Recent reports from Toyota and the Durban Chamber of Commerce portray an image of manufactures that are fed up with how they were left to fend for themselves in the face of mass destruction and violence.

With a story beginning to emerge of large employers now looking to relocate to other parts of the country and across our boarders, it is critical that Minister Patel comes to the epicentre of this unfolding economic crisis.

Just yesterday, I visit the Cornubia industrial park which is a Presidential led development. The damage done to factories is beyond anything anyone could imagine and there is no sight or sound of government. It is only natural business will start to look elsewhere.

As a resident of eThekwini and KwaZulu-Natal, I want to see us rebuild but I need my counterpart, Minister Patel to come down and work with our business communities so that we can do so. Now is not the time to play politics, but to show compassion and leadership with those that have lost so much.

Issued by Dean Macpherson, DA Shadow Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, 20 July 2021