A NUMBER of businesses have been crippled by the water outage, with some forced to close.
Grant Wheatley, a KFC franchise owner who employs 150 people in five branches in the metro area, said three of his branches had to close yesterday – two in downtown East London and one in Mdantsane.
“If it carries on we will have to shut down all our stores indefinitely. No water means no chicken. Hourly staff lose their hours. It’s a mess for our economy. Is there negligence?”
A security guard from Nestlé East London said staff were sent home yesterday morning.
Hair salon owner in East London CBD Kehinde Chukwu said although they were still operating they had lost clients who wanted styles where water was used in the process.
“It’s not looking good because maybe six out of 10 clients that come in want to have their hair washed, relaxed or treated and that is a big loss,” said Chukwu.
Lauren Ward, speaking for Basically Beautiful nail, beauty and body bar, said water had to be sourced from another supply and this would have to continue if the problem persisted.
Les Holbrook, executive director of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business said business was affected in a “very direct and dire” way.
“Half of West Bank has already been sent home and most schools have said do not come back until the water is restored.
“The worst is the lack of information. The absence of an alternative supply is very disturbing,” he said.
Businesses brace for disaster
Grant Wheatley, a KFC franchise owner who employs 150 people in five branches in the metro area, said three of his branches had to close yesterday – two in downtown East London and one in Mdantsane.
“If it carries on we will have to shut down all our stores indefinitely. No water means no chicken. Hourly staff lose their hours. It’s a mess for our economy. Is there negligence?”
A security guard from Nestlé East London said staff were sent home yesterday morning.
Hair salon owner in East London CBD Kehinde Chukwu said although they were still operating they had lost clients who wanted styles where water was used in the process.
“It’s not looking good because maybe six out of 10 clients that come in want to have their hair washed, relaxed or treated and that is a big loss,” said Chukwu.
Lauren Ward, speaking for Basically Beautiful nail, beauty and body bar, said water had to be sourced from another supply and this would have to continue if the problem persisted.
Les Holbrook, executive director of the Border-Kei Chamber of Business said business was affected in a “very direct and dire” way.
“Half of West Bank has already been sent home and most schools have said do not come back until the water is restored.
“The worst is the lack of information. The absence of an alternative supply is very disturbing,” he said.
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