Staff of Reuters 3 Minutes to Read JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) – After losing 53 cars in xenophobic attacks in South Africa in 2019, Okey Uchendu, the owner of a Johannesburg car dealership, never imagined his business would be decimated by civil turmoil again in less than two years. People plunder an area near a burning warehouse in Durban, South Africa, on July 14, 2021, after unrest erupted following the imprisonment of former South African President Jacob Zuma. Rogan Ward/Rogan Ward/Rogan Ward/Rogan Ward/Rogan Ward Already coping with the economic effects of COVID-19, Uchendu received word at midnight on Sunday that his dealership had been set ablaze as looting and violence, the worst in years in South Africa, erupted, destroying hundreds of businesses. “I’m speechless,” the 45-year-old said to Reuters on Wednesday as he stood next to 58 burned-out automobiles. “I’m contemplating suicide since my source of income has been taken away from me. I was sad and powerless because I couldn’t do anything.” An unrecognisable second-hand Range Rover Evoque valued 220,000 rand ($15,000) was among the heavily burned cars, which stood among cheap to high-end vehicles. “All of these things have vanished. I’m not sure where to begin because I’m not sure how I’ll begin. I still have rent to pay, and I have three children to look after; how will I look after them?, “Uchendu, who was visibly moved, spoke up. The disturbance has extended into an outpouring of rage about poverty and inequality, sparked by the imprisonment of ex-president Jacob Zuma last week after he failed to appear at a corruption inquiry. Many small, medium-sized, and micro enterprises (SMME) in South Africa are uninsured, complicating any attempts to recoup those who have been harmed by the disturbance. “Nobody wants to insure our tiny businesses here on Jules (street), because it’s a high-risk neighborhood. When you phone insurance companies, they tell you that this is a high-risk location, so don’t bother “He said this about his 16-person company. According to a poll conducted by the Small Business Institute (SBI) last year, up to 55,000 SMMEs may not survive the COVID-19 pandemic. According to SBI Chief Executive John Dludlu, the number was projected to climb as a result of the disturbance. According to the South African Property Owners Association, over 200 malls have been robbed or demolished, and over 600 establishments have been burned or damaged thus far. More than 200 liquor stores have been plundered, according to the liquor business, in the Kwa-Zulu Natal and Gauteng provinces, which have been hardest hit by the upheaval. Larger firms, such as clothing shop Mr Price, were forced to close hundreds of stores after being completely robbed, and other malls were also forced to close their doors. “I’m out, I’m done investing in this particular property here, in this neighborhood,” Uchendu remarked. Nqobile Dludla contributed reporting, while Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Toby Chopra edited the piece./n
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