Game, Makro, Builders, Cambridge and Cash & Carry stores have been affected by looting.
Massmart has clearly noted its immediate priority was for the safety and wellbeing of its employees, in a video message from CEO Mitchell Slape.
He added that the focus was on protecting jobs and supporting associates in KwaZulu-Natal by putting together parcels for them, following looting and violence in the province over the past week.
Mitchell added that 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.
During the unrest, protesters gained access to and made off with merchandise in 18 Cambridge stores, 10 Game stores, eight Builders stores, three Cash & Carry and two Makro stores.
In a recent SENS announcement, the company also announced that two of its distribution centres had been directly impacted, with four facilities suffering significant damage due to arson.
This has resulted in the temporary closure of a number of vulnerable stores and facilities over the last few days.
Massmart has activated back-up plans to ensure full and complete business recovery, starting
with the responsible reopening while simultaneously activating business continuity plans that involve shifting replenishment capability to distribution centres into which backup capacity has been built.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed. However, Massmart confirmed that the
insurance cover in place for such events would minimise losses.
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Majority shareholder Walmart has also confirmed its commitment to the business in South Africa and the current focus on helping our employees, customers and communities affected by the events.
