Durban – Mariannhill police are investigating a case of malicious damage to property after a fire at the Denny Mushrooms plant in Shongweni on Friday gutted a large portion of the property.
Provincial police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo, said that on September 9 just before 5pm a security guard alleged that he was performing his duties at the farm when he heard his colleagues screaming for help.
“Upon investigating he noticed that the fire was coming from the store room, growing room, packaging and dispatch department,” she said.
Ngcobo said the circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated and a case of malicious damage to property was opened at Mariannhill police station for investigation.
Speaking to The Mercury on Monday, eThekwini fire divisional commander Dennis Govender said this was the second fire at the plant.
Govender said firefighters put out a small building fire towards the end of August. He said there were no injuries.
Regarding Friday’s incident, Govender said firefighters responded to the fire just after 5pm.
He said there were lots of staff members standing outside and members of a private security company were present in “full force”.
Various fire stations responded to the scene including Gillitts, Mariannhill, Hammarsdale and Pinetown, he said.
“When firefighters arrived the offices and warehouse were well alight,” he said.
Govender said firefighters were advised that there were no people inside and that no one was injured. He said this allowed them to concentrate on containing the fire.
He said while the offices were completely destroyed, firefighters were able to save most of the warehouse.
“Firefighters were able to contain the spread of the warehouse fire by creating a barrier. We were able to save 60% of the warehouse but there will be a lot of smoke and water damage,” said Govender.
In a video of the fire shared on Twitter, crime activist Yusuf Abramjee said the plant was gutted.
Abramjee said according to reports, it was alleged that disgruntled employees had started the blaze over a wage dispute.
However this could not be confirmed on Monday.
Denny Mushrooms plant in Shongweni KZN gutted by a fire. Reports say some disgruntled employees started the blaze over a wage dispute. pic.twitter.com/Z4kgnZ5Q0y
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) September 11, 2022
Denny Mushrooms in Shongweni said they had “no comment at this time” and attempts to contact the head office were unsuccessful.
However, the Shongweni office told another publication that they are working with the authorities to assess the damage and investigate the cause of the fire.
Commenting on the video on Twitter, one user said the incident was “sad, but not isolated”.
“Another factory to be shut down, entire supply chains broken in the area of Shongweni. The results? Bit more depression, more GBV, More crime… The broken window effect. When will we learn?” he asked.
Another user said: “I sincerely hope that the responsible people are found and brought to justice swiftly. This kind of behaviour is going to trash this country.”
Another user agreed: “They must be identified and arrested for this, now other people won’t have employment because of their actions.”