Looting is defined as the act of stealing or the taking of goods by force in the midst of a military, political or other social crisis, such as a war, a natural disaster or rioting. The proceeds of looting are called booty, loot, plunder, spoils or pillage.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) is conducting a survey titled ‘Impact of the looting on business operations in the country’. The survey is being conducted across all businesses to determine the extent of the impact of the recent unrest. The aim is to develop appropriate support measures to assist companies during the process of rebuilding and economic stabilisation.

The survey, which takes about five minutes to complete, is accessible at www.thedtic.gov.za. Those requiring additional information should send an email to industrialfinancing@thedtic.gov.za or contact the DTIC’s acting deputy director- general for industrial financing.

The DTIC states: “South African businesses have come under immense strain due to the recent events of violence and looting that swept through the country. This survey requests information on the impacts of the unrest and the support that would be required by affected companies. All information provided will be strictly confidential and aggregated anonymous data will be used to inform decision-making.”

The survey requests, besides other information, the following: the name of the company, the physical address of the company and whether the company has Sasria insurance. Sasria is the only nonlife insurer that provides special risk cover for all individuals and businesses that own assets in South Africa, as well as government entities. This is unique cover against risks such as civil commotion, public disorder, strikes, riots and terrorism, making South Africa one of the few countries in the world that provide this insurance, particularly at affordable premiums.

The survey also requests companies to state the sector in which they operate; the products they manufacture or the services they offer; the nature of damages or negative impacts suffered as a result of the violence and looting; the total cost of all damages; the value of the company’s order book that has been disrupted for the next 12 months; the amount of time will it take for the company’s supply chain to be up and running, as well as what the company will require to resolve bottlenecks to get the supply chain up and running again; the amount of time it will take for the company to return to full operation, and the support the company will require to return to full production or operation; the total number of people employed prior to the shutdown; the estimated number of employees who will be back at work when operations resume; the country or countries from which the company’s machinery and equipment and raw material or inputs will be sourced; the estimated period during which the sourcing of machinery and equipment and raw material or inputs will be completed; the name of the contact person should the DTIC need to get in touch with the company; the telephone number of the contact person; the email address of the contact person; and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission registration number of the company.

In addition to the survey, the DTIC also announced the establishment of its Economic Recovery Hotline, which interested parties may contact for support toll free on 0800 006 543, landline (012) 394 5560. It is also reachable by email at joc@thedtic.gov.za and ioc@thedtic.gov.za.

Before taking my leave, I would like to remind you of the words of William T Anderson, a leader in the American Civil War: “Political elections are an exercise in which groups of people choose individuals who will assist them in looting other groups of individuals.”