Looting nightmare for city shop owner
A SUPERMARKET owner in Soul City, Ismail Patel, said he does not know how he will continue with his business after his store was looted and burnt down.
A downcast Patel said that he had lost millions of rand in stock after looters ransacked his store on Thursday night.
“On Thursday night we saw people looting a Chinese store in the area. We first called the police and asked them to send help as we knew that the looters will make their way to our store. The police first promised to send out help. After a few moments we called again. After several calls, we headed to the police station in Phakamile Mabija Street. We were told that there was nothing the police could do and that they could not send out help as the road was closed,” Patel said.
He said that all the stock and materials in his store were cleared out by the looters in a matter of minutes.
“The people took everything that was inside the store. We had a cold room and they managed to get inside that too. The storeroom was also cleaned out. They even took the gas bottles we had at the back. We lost everything we had inside the store.”
Patel added that the nightmare became worse when his store was set on fire.
“On Thursday everything was taken. However, on Friday night there were two men standing by the store. They were seen setting a tyre alight in front of the store. The next moment the entire store was on fire.
“I do not understand why they had to set the building alight. They took everything they could possibly take from the store … why did they have to burn the building too?”
Patel said he had been renting the store from a local contractor and had being operating in the area for the past 10 years.
“I have been running my business in this area for the past 10 years. I know the people in this area. I have never encountered such behaviour before. I have always helped the community. We had a wonderful partnership. They were my customers and I assisted them where I could. If they came and their money was short, I would give them whatever they bought. I even assisted a local soup kitchen with stock in order for them to provide for those less fortunate.
“I do not know how I will get my business up and running again since I have lost everything.”
He added that he is concerned for his employees. “I had six people who worked in the store. Those six people were providing for their families but will now be unemployed. I do not have anywhere to employ them and I am forced to let them go. I do not even want to think of the implications this incident will have on their future.”
The owner of the property, Imaraan Obaray, said that the building will cost millions of rand to fix.
“I have had this building for the past 20 years. I am a contractor by profession and built this building myself. I will have to fix it again, which will cost about R2.3 million. It is heartbreaking to see your hard work lying in ashes. What took just a few hours for people burn down took me months of sweat to build,” said Obaray.
“I have got no other choice but to start all over again. People do not understand that they are taking the livelihood of many by their irresponsible and criminal acts.”