Renowned family business suffers extensive damage throughout KZN

One of Pietermaritzburg’s most well-established businesses, established over a century ago, has been left to pick up the pieces, after bearing the full brunt of the riots and looting last week.

Asmalls Clothing Store, which was founded in 1907 and has stores throughout KwaZulu-Natal, was one of several landmark city businesses impacted by the riots, looting and vandalism last week.

The company suffered losses and damages across six of their facilities in KwaZulu-Natal. The group employs over 300 people but will now have to carefully consider the impact on trading.

Asmalls suffered the following damages to their stores: Edendale was burnt to the ground; the Pinetown store was looted; the distribution centre at Camps Drift together with the neighbouring hyper store were both looted and vandalizsed; two stores in Stanger were looted and vandalised; and, their Chesterfield warehouse was looted and burnt.

A tour of the distribution centre and hyper store showed that looters and vandals left no stone unturned as they broke gates, took valuable office equipment, broke into safes and strong rooms, destroyed files, removed ablution facilities and air conditioners, took kitchen appliances, vandalised doors and windows, and looted stock from the warehouse and merchandise from the store.

“It brought tears to my eyes. We watched as years of hard work went down the drain. We saw the livelihoods of many of my family and staff members just disappear,” said director Yunus Asmall.

The company has a difficult road ahead given that its central distribution centre, which contained the stock for all its regional stores, was completely looted and vandalised.

“The economic impact of lockdown had a significant impact on our businesses with sales dropping and operating expenses increasing as we implemented hygiene protocols to create a safe environment for staff and customers. The looting and damage has now had a devastating impact on a business that has already been battered and sadly this may lead to store closures and job losses,” explained Asmall.

He said the government must take accountability for its failures.

“Those who contribute to the economy have gotten a raw deal from the government. South Africa must put politics aside and instead run the government like a business where there is accountability. Much more needs to be done to support our businesses. A thriving private sector is needed to rebuild this economy,” said Asmall.

The company was started on a farm in Donnybrook in 1907 by Dawood Asmall and family. Yusuf Dawood Asmall took over from his father and subsequently handed over management to his sons. Prior to last week’s unrest and looting, the family business had grown to 16 stores across KwaZulu-Natal.