A local young entrepreneur saw his dreams go up in flames when his shop at Khubvi village burnt down on Tuesday, 28 June.
Vhulenda Nemaname (35) said he left the shop at 20:00 that night. Thirty minutes later, he received a call that his shop was on fire. "I ran back to the shop and found at least eight people crowding in front of the shop, not knowing what to do because the shop was locked. When I tried to open it, I was nearly burnt by a ball of fire and smoke, so I retreated. I looked on while all my hard work burnt to ashes. The tears were streaming down my face and I don't know what happened next. I just collapsed."
With the help of his family, the police were contacted and eventually showed up at the scene. "There were five fridges, three stoves, and stock worth at least R25 000. I am really down. With my shop I was able to hire two people, who have both lost their jobs now," he said hopelessly.
This tragedy comes after armed men robbed him of R20 000 in April this year. "Four men came here brandishing firearms and robbed me of cash and stock. I opened a case, but the police have done nothing about it to date," he said.
When asked how anyone picked up the pieces after such a tragedy, he replied: "At the moment all I see is a dark cloud ahead of me, but being a hustler all my life, I will try to stand strong and move forward. I would really appreciate any form of help from the government and business community. Without them, this shop will be gone forever," he said.
Anyone who can assist Nemaname can contact him on 072 459 3754.