Blow for resident as home and three businesses looted

FAHIM Jamadar has suffered a triple blow during the violence. His three businesses and his home were looted.

Jamadar’s businesses, Potent Ice Perfumes in uMlazi Mega City, and Jamadar’s Builders Suppliers and Jamadar’s Warehouse, in Isipingo, as well as his home were looted.

He said he took his family to a hotel for safety, after he heard the looters could break into homes.

The radio jock said furniture, equipment, stock and five trucks were stolen.

“The losses amount to millions,” said Jamadar.

He said he was watching the looting on the TV news on Sunday, July 11, when an employee at Potent Ice Perfumes called him.

“She said the staff heard looters were making their way to the mall. We thought they were mostly targeting the bigger stores, so we did not move the stock to a safer place.

“That evening, the mall security called to say people were in every store and were stealing. I saw it on TV and could not believe it. I felt weak.

“I could not drive there because every street was a war zone.

“On Monday morning, I went to the shop. Everything was gone. They took all the perfumes, purchasing systems and furniture. I could have sworn I was dreaming,” said Jamadar.

He said he was surprised that looters were still arriving at the mall.

“Later on Monday, our customers informed us that our house in Isipingo was broken into.

“They took the beds, oven, stoves, everything. When I got there, the property was empty. I know I am a strong man but this broke me.”

On the same night, both businesses in Isipingo were targeted and partly burnt.

“We went there on Tuesday morning. Five trucks were stolen. Building material, such as bricks, doors and windows worth thousands of rand were also taken.

“I’m hurt. I lost our businesses. These were for our children’s future.”

He said they employed more than 100 people.

“We have all lost our livelihoods. I cannot begin to imagine the suffering we will endure with no income.

“I need to calm down and think, but I know it’s still too soon to decide what to do next.”

This weekend, uMlazi Mega City posted on its Facebook page that it had started clean-up operations.

“We would like to applaud our community members who, over the past couple of days, have spent hours getting their hands dirty. All in good cause of uniting and volunteering to clean up our centre,” read the post.

Nobuhle Chili, 26, of uMlazi D Section, said she never thought she would be unemployed again.

Chili and her sister, Nomvelo, both worked as stock takers at a factory near uMlazi Mega City. The sisters support their family of five.

“When the stealing started, we joked about it at work.

“Little did we know that it would actually happen. So many of us are now without jobs,” said Chili.

She said their boss called them on Monday morning and told them the factory was looted.

“Later that day, he messaged to say that circumstances forced him to let us go.

“He said the business would not have enough money to pick up in the next six months.

“He already owed us two months’ salary, since things were not going well under the lockdown,” said Chili.

She said this took her back to three years ago when she lost her job at a call centre.

“It took me so long to get this job and now no company will employ anyone.”