At least 45 000 businesses in Durban have borne the brunt of looting with an estimated R16-billion in stolen stock and damage to infrastructure and equipment having been reported.

eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda made the revelation during a media briefing as the city begun tallying its losses. It is estimated that the economic impact of the unrest has costed the metro R1-billion in terms of stock, and R15-billion in property damages.

A whopping 129 00 jobs are also at risk after malls, factories, and other industries were destroyed.

[Gallo Images/Papi Morake]