Claremont-based fruit export company Lona Citrus has confirmed that a case of arson has been opened after a fire gutted one of its Riverside Citrus Services (RCS) pack-houses in the Fort Beaufort area on May 7.
“Thankfully only 230 tonnes of produce were affected so we do not expect this to impact exports. Produce that was destined for this pack-house will be accommodated in neighbouring pack-houses at this time.”
The company told FTW Online that the SAPS was investigating and that there had been no injuries.
Algoa FM reported that the monetary losses could be as high as R200 million and that the jobs of 300 workers might be negatively affected.
