Puma store in Braamfontein lost over R300‚000 during student protests

The Puma clothing store in Braamfontein, which was looted a fortnight ago, suffered more than R300 000 in losses of stock and fittings‚ a senior staff member has revealed. The sportswear shop was looted when protesting University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) students clashed with police in the streets of Braamfontein after being chased off campus. A senior staff member‚ who asked not to be named, said: “We had to assess and do a proper stocktaking as everything in the shop was looted. “The stock alone was worthR250 000, and repairing broken windows and glass doors[brought the total cost to] more than R300 000.” He did not believet hat the looting had been done by students as they were protesting for a “good cause”. Instead, he blamed opportunists and thugs for capitalizing on the situation. Looters were captured on camera stealing Puma apparel like bags‚ sneakers‚ T-shirts and sweaters. The store wasted no time in repairing the damage‚ restocking the shelves and reopening for weekend business. It took the store four days to reopen. The same night, on the same street‚ jazz club The Orbit suffered damage worth R60 000‚according to staff members. Police are investigating the matter.