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By IOL Reporter 
22h ago
Durban – More than 400 Clicks stores closed on Monday after violent protests broke out in shopping malls across the country.
According to a Clicks spokesperson, a protest action was reported in at least 452 stores.
“Clicks strongly condemns violence of any kind, intimidation of staff and their customers, and vandalism of its stores. All incidents of criminal conduct are being reported to the authorities. Clicks is working with SAPS to ensure the safety of staff, customers and members of the public, “the spokesperson said.
“Clicks cannot estimate the total damage to the stores due to the ongoing protest action. Clicks provides a much-needed health care service for South Africans and will continue to operate. Clicks has taken full responsibility and apologized without reservation for the announcement. posted on its website and is committed to making real change across the company. Clicks continues to monitor the situation, “the spokesperson added.
The health and beauty retailer drew the ire of South Africans over the images on its website, which most viewed as biased against natural black hair.
Clicks then issued a public apology after the images sparked outrage on social media.
“We would like to issue an unequivocal apology. We have removed images that go against everything we believe in. We do not tolerate racism and we are strong advocates of natural hair. We are deeply sorry and will enforce stricter measures on our website, ”says the apology on the Clicks Twitter thread.
Vikesh Ramsunder, CEO of Clicks Group, issued an open letter asking for consumer involvement in the matter.
“The emotional responses of our clients have been reflected by our employees and management teams. And although the images and content were provided to us by our provider TRESemmé, this does not absolve us of guilt. That is why we take responsibility for this error in judgment by issuing a public apology and promptly removing offensive material from our website, ”he said.
Meanwhile, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry has strongly condemned the vandalism of property and acts of intimidation.
“Property has been damaged, staff lives have been put at risk and economic losses have undoubtedly been incurred as a result of the violence. Most importantly, the patients who rely on Clicks to fill their prescriptions for medicines they have also been compromised at the affected sites, “said Palesa Phili, executive director of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said the ripple effect of such actions was negative not only for the company, but also for the South African economy as a whole.
MESS
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