Bargain hunters beware: If a deal looks too good to be true, that ad on social media or online classifieds sites could actually be showing off goods stolen during the looting frenzy that took place in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng this month.
Sumitomo Rubber South Africa, which manufactures the Dunlop tyre brand, says its Durban Westville warehouse was invaded unlawfully and vandalised on Sunday, 11 July, and the company is aware that much of the stolen passenger and motorcycle tyre stock is now being sold online.
In videos circulating on social media, groups of unidentified individuals were seen making off with tyres from the warehouse.
Company CEO Lubin Ozoux says in a statement that the loss in stock and assets is estimated to be approximately R90 million with some 70 000 tyres stolen from the warehouse.
He says around 140 000 tyres are known to have been looted from across the tyre manufacturing chain and appealed to consumers NOT to buy tyres from anyone other than reputable manufacturers and suppliers.
Those who know or suspect the possession of looted tyres can report this anonymously to the Looted Tyres Hotline on (011) 418 3056 or info@srigroup.co.za.
